Particulate matter emissions and exposure assessment in stone carving: A study of controlled and real-world conditions

IF 5.5 2区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Powder Technology Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-07 DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2026.122242

Shubham Sharma, Nivedita Kaul, Sumit Khandelwal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The stone carving industry routinely exposes workers to high concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM). Limited studies have quantified exposure characteristics in real occupational settings. This study addresses this gap by investigating the concentration, size distribution, and particle counts generated during typical stone carving operations.

Monitoring was conducted in two phases using a Grimm Environmental Dust Monitor (EDM264). Separate monitoring for active and non-active periods of stone carving under semi-controlled conditions (Phase 1) revealed sharp contrasts. Concentrations of PM₄-₁₀, PM₂.₅-₄, and PM₁-₂.₅ during non-active periods dropped to about 1–2% of their active-period levels. In contrast, fine particles (PM₁) persisted up to 70% of active-period concentrations even after carving ceased, indicating their prolonged airborne presence. Phase 2, conducted at a stone carving site, showed lower average levels than Phase 1, with PM₄-₁₀ and PM₂.₅-₄ around 10% and 7% of corresponding fractions in Phase 1. Notably, maximum and minimum PM levels in Phase 2 closely aligned with average concentrations for active and non-active periods of Phase 1, respectively. However, the particle size ratio for fine PM in Phase 2 (PM₁/PM₂.₅ = 0.62) was higher, indicating a greater relative contribution of finer particles.

Overall, fine fractions, particularly PM₁, remained consistently elevated across both experimental and field settings. These findings highlight the intense and variable exposure faced by stone carving workers and underscore the urgent need for dust control measures and personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure and reduce respiratory health risks.

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石雕中的颗粒物排放和暴露评估：一项受控和现实条件的研究

石雕行业的工人经常暴露在空气中高浓度的颗粒物（PM）中。有限的研究量化了真实职业环境中的暴露特征。本研究通过调查典型石雕作业中产生的浓度、大小分布和颗粒数来解决这一差距。使用格林环境粉尘监测仪（EDM264）分两个阶段进行监测。在半控制条件下，对石雕活动和非活动时期的单独监测（阶段1）揭示了鲜明的对比。PM₄₁₀，PM₂的浓度。₅-₄和PM₁-₂。在非活跃期间，₅下降到活跃期间水平的约1-2%。相比之下，细颗粒（PM 1）即使在雕刻停止后仍持续高达活跃期浓度的70%，表明它们长期存在于空气中。在石雕现场进行的第2阶段的平均水平低于第1阶段，PM₄-₁0和PM₂。在第一阶段中，₅-约为10%和7%的相应馏分。值得注意的是，第2阶段的最高和最低PM水平分别与第1阶段活跃和非活跃时期的平均浓度密切相关。然而，第二阶段细颗粒物的粒径比（PM 1 /PM 2）。₅= 0.62)更高，表明更细颗粒的相对贡献更大。总体而言，在实验和现场设置中，精细分数，特别是PM 1，始终保持较高水平。这些发现突出了石雕工人所面临的高强度和可变暴露，并强调了迫切需要采取粉尘控制措施和个人防护设备，以减轻暴露和降低呼吸道健康风险。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Powder Technology 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.90

自引率

15.40%

发文量

1047

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Powder Technology is an International Journal on the Science and Technology of Wet and Dry Particulate Systems. Powder Technology publishes papers on all aspects of the formation of particles and their characterisation and on the study of systems containing particulate solids. No limitation is imposed on the size of the particles, which may range from nanometre scale, as in pigments or aerosols, to that of mined or quarried materials. The following list of topics is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to indicate typical subjects which fall within the scope of the journal's interests: Formation and synthesis of particles by precipitation and other methods. Modification of particles by agglomeration, coating, comminution and attrition. Characterisation of the size, shape, surface area, pore structure and strength of particles and agglomerates (including the origins and effects of inter particle forces). Packing, failure, flow and permeability of assemblies of particles. Particle-particle interactions and suspension rheology. Handling and processing operations such as slurry flow, fluidization, pneumatic conveying. Interactions between particles and their environment, including delivery of particulate products to the body. Applications of particle technology in production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foods, pigments, structural, and functional materials and in environmental and energy related matters. For materials-oriented contributions we are looking for articles revealing the effect of particle/powder characteristics (size, morphology and composition, in that order) on material performance or functionality and, ideally, comparison to any industrial standard.