Indoor Nanoparticle Characterization in Construction Waste Recycling Companies over Time

Diana Pinto, Alcindo Neckel, Guilherme L. Dotto and Bashir Adelodun
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Diana Pinto: Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, CUC, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
Alcindo Neckel: Faculdade Meridional, IMED, Passo Fundo 99070-220, Brazil
Guilherme L. Dotto: Chemical Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Maria UFSM, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Bashir Adelodun: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240103, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-10

Abstract: Building activity is a significant source of atmospheric contamination by ultrafine dust. Cognizant of this fact, those active in the use and recycling of construction materials must be aware of the risks associated with exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) and ultra-fine particles (UFPs), as well as the associated health impacts. This work analyzed NPs and UFPs generated in a small building-material recycling company using high-resolution electron microscopes and X-ray Diffraction. A self-made passive sampler (LSPS) that can obtain particulate samples without physical and morphological changes, especially where there is a suspension of particulate material, was used in this study. A total of 96 particulate samples, using the LSPS for three months in four seasons, were collected during the study. Thus, the dry deposition of the particles, which are considered highly harmful to human health, was found in each of the four seasons of the year. It is suggested that for future research, the toxicological evaluations of the particulates in the construction industry should be investigated through the consideration of measures to control and mitigate the health risks of workers regarding exposure to NPs and UFPs.

Keywords: air pollution; construction waste recycling; nanoparticles; human health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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