Chemical composition of individual aerosol particles from working areas in a nickel refinery

B. L. W. Höflich; M. Wentzel; H. M. Ortner; S. Weinbruch; A. Skogstad; S. Hetland; Y. Thomassen; V. P. Chaschin; E. Nieboer

doi:10.1039/B001146K

B. L. W. Höflich,^a M. Wentzel,^a H. M. Ortner,^a S. Weinbruch,^b A. Skogstad,^c S. Hetland,^c Y. Thomassen,^c V. P. Chaschin^d and E. Nieboer^ef

Author affiliations

^a Material Science Department, Technical University of Darmstadt, Petersenstr. 23, Darmstadt, Germany

^b Institute of Mineralogy, Technical University of Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 9, Darmstadt, Germany

^c National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 DEP, Oslo, Norway

^d Kola Research Laboratory for Occupational Health, Kirovsk, Russia

^e Department of Biochemistry and Occupational Health Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

^f Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

Abstract

Individual aerosol particles (n = 1170) collected at work stations in a nickel refinery were analyzed by wavelength-dispersive electron-probe microanalysis. By placing arbitrary restrictions on the contents of sulfur and silicon, the particles could be divided into four main groups. Scanning electron images indicated that most of the particles examined were relatively small (≤2 µm, equivalent projected area diameter), and that their morphology suggested formation from a melt. There was an absence of well-defined phases and simple stoichiometries, indicating that exposures to pure substances such as nickel subsulfide or specific oxides appeared not to occur. Although the elemental composition of particles varied greatly, a rough association was evident with the known elemental content of the refinery intermediates. The implications of the findings for aerosol speciation measurements, toxicological studies and interpretation of adverse health effects are explored.

Article information

https://doi.org/10.1039/B001146K

Article type

Paper

Submitted

10 Feb 2000

Accepted

02 Apr 2000

First published

09 May 2000

Download Citation

J. Environ. Monit., 2000,2, 213-217

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