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Mariola Jablonska, University of Silesia (Poland)
Janusz Janeczek, University of Silesia (Poland)
Jerzy Wiedermann, Institute for Ferrous Metallyrgy (Poland)
Krzysztof Radwanski, Institute for Metallurgy (Poland)
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While studies of indoor dust particles are commonly focused on their quantity, geometry, chemistry and physical parameters, less is known about their mineral compositions. Investigation of pollutants in indoor air is of outmost interest because we spend some 80 percent of our lifetime in the indoor environment. In this study we determined a mineral composition of both airborne and settled dust collected in apartments in three major cities of Upper Silesia - a region in Southern Poland notorious for its industrial pollution. Dust particles were examined by optical microscopy, environmental and analytical SEM, and analytical TEM. The major mineral phases of indoor air particles include calcite, dolomite, iron oxides, KCl, NaCl, gypsum, anhydrite, clay minerals, silica (predominantly as quartz), muscovite and feldspars. Some of those minerals, e.g. carbonates and quartz are from natural sources including local geology. Gypsum and anhydrite may partially come from plasters. However, both sulphates were also found as products of airborne reactions between Ca-rich particles and sulphur dioxide emitted from industrial and domestic sources. Other minerals are either outdoor pollutants or resulted from indoor activities. Diameter of those particles ranges from 2 m to 10 m. Particles with diameter less than 2.5 m, i.e. respirable particles consist of PbS, ZnS, ZnO, PbCl, and Zn-bearing iron oxides. These small particles are susceptible to electron beam damage. Respirable REE oxides were detected in apartments inhabited by smoking persons. The potential hazard for human health of most of the detected minerals will be evaluated as there is some evidence that even common and non-toxic minerals when inhaled may have an advert effect on human health.
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