Chemical analysis of World Trade Center fine particulate matter for use in toxicologic assessment.
John K. McGee,Lung Chi Chen,Mitchell D. Cohen,Glen R Chee,Colette Prophete,Najwa Haykal-Coates,Shirley J. Wasson,Teri L. Conner,Daniel L. Costa,Stephen H. Gavett +9 more
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Results suggest that combustion-derived particles did not form a significant fraction of these samples recovered in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of the towers, suggesting that inhalation of high doses of WTC PM2.5 could potentially cause toxic respiratory effects.Abstract:
The catastrophic destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) on 11 September 2001 caused the release of high levels of airborne pollutants into the local environment. To assess the toxicity of fine particulate matter [particulate matter with a mass median aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 microm (PM2.5)], which may adversely affect the health of workers and residents in the area, we collected fallen dust samples on 12 and 13 September 2001 from sites within a half-mile of Ground Zero. Samples of WTC dust were sieved, aerosolized, and size-separated, and the PM2.5 fraction was isolated on filters. Here we report the chemical and physical properties of PM2.5 derived from these samples and compare them with PM2.5 fractions of three reference materials that range in toxicity from relatively inert to acutely toxic (Mt. St. Helens PM; Washington, DC, ambient air PM; and residual oil fly ash). X-ray diffraction of very coarse sieved WTC PM (< 53 microm) identified calcium sulfate (gypsum) and calcium carbonate (calcite) as major components. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that calcium-sulfur and calcium-carbon particles were also present in the WTC PM2.5 fraction. Analysis of WTC PM2.5 using X-ray fluorescence, neutron activation analysis, and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry showed high levels of calcium (range, 22-33%) and sulfur (37-43% as sulfate) and much lower levels of transition metals and other elements. Aqueous extracts of WTC PM2.5 were basic (pH range, 8.9-10.0) and had no evidence of significant bacterial contamination. Levels of carbon were relatively low, suggesting that combustion-derived particles did not form a significant fraction of these samples recovered in the immediate aftermath of the destruction of the towers. Because gypsum and calcite are known to cause irritation of the mucus membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, inhalation of high doses of WTC PM2.5 could potentially cause toxic respiratory effects.read more
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References
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Book
CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
TL;DR: CRC handbook of chemistry and physics, CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, CRC handbook as discussed by the authors, CRC Handbook for Chemistry and Physiology, CRC Handbook for Physics,
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TL;DR: It is suggested that fine-particulate air pollution, or a more complex pollution mixture associated with fine particulate matter, contributes to excess mortality in certain U.S. cities.
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Elemental Carbon-Based Method for Monitoring Occupational Exposures to Particulate Diesel Exhaust
M. E. Birch,R. A. Cary +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, a thermal-optical technique for analysis of the carbonaceous fraction of particulate diesel exhaust is reported, and the speciation of organic and elemental carbon is accomplished through temperature and atmosphere control, and by an optical feature that corrects for pyrolytically generated carbon.
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Bioavailable transition metals in particulate matter mediate cardiopulmonary injury in healthy and compromised animal models.
Daniel L. Costa,Kevin L. Dreher +1 more
TL;DR: It is proposed that soluble metals from PM mediate the array of PM-associated injuries to the cardiopulmonary system of the healthy and at-risk compromised host.
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Soluble transition metals mediate residual oil fly ash induced acute lung injury
Kevin L. Dreher,Richard H. Jaskot,James R. Lehmann,Judy H. Richards,John K. McGee,Andrew J. Ghio,Daniel L. Costa +6 more
TL;DR: Results of studies conducted to identify constituents responsible for the acute lung injury induced by residual oil fly ash (ROFA) and to assess physical-chemical factors that influence the pulmonary toxicity of these constituents provide direct evidence for the role of soluble transition metals in the pulmonary injuryinduced by the combustion emission source particulate, ROFA.
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