Environmental & Green Materials
Visileanu Emilia; Alexandra Gabriela Ene; Marian Catalin Grosu; Paul Tiberiu Miclea; Razvan Victor Scarlat
Abstract
This paper studies human exposure to microplastics in real-life situations. The concentration of the polyamide nano/microplastics in the proximity of textile workplaces was made by the device Laser Aerosol Spectrometer. The descriptive statistical analysis was elaborated for: variables TSC (total concentration ...
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This paper studies human exposure to microplastics in real-life situations. The concentration of the polyamide nano/microplastics in the proximity of textile workplaces was made by the device Laser Aerosol Spectrometer. The descriptive statistical analysis was elaborated for: variables TSC (total concentration µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM1 (µg/m3) and TC (total number of particles, 1/l). The histograms of each variable highlight the asymmetry of the distribution, with the predominance of frequencies or variables; representation of level indicators (average, median) and dispersion-box-plot graphs were obtained. Collection of the particle made with TECORA-SKYPORT PM-HV and GilAirPlus pumps, by using Quartz and Nucleopore filters with different diameters highlighted that the highest mass (683µg) was collected by using GilAir Plus pump and Quartz filter 37mm. A strong correlation was obtained between the variable: "Collected mass/ Air concentration": r = 0997775 ÷ 0,999477 and "Collected mass/ Air volume", r = -0,97473 ÷ 0.80064. The prediction of the value of the collected mass as a function of the diameter of the filters, particle concentration, airflow, and total air volume was made by obtaining the regression equations. Optic microscope analyses highlighted the dimension of microfibres (50% are <10µm) and SEM the dimension: 25% < 68.47 nm and the spherical shape of particles. FT-IR, µRaman and TG-DSC analyses showed the presence of PA particles in the collected particles.
Environmental & Green Materials
Marian Catalin Grosu; Emilia Visileanu; Alexandra Gabriela Ene; Razvan Victor Scarlat; Virgil Emanuel Marinescu
Abstract
This paper presents the polypropylene (PP) micro-nano particles (MNPs) exposure routes of textile industry personnel and analyses the characteristics of such particles collected in and outside the workplaces. A Laser Aerosol Spectrometer set was used to determine: the total suspended particles (TSP), ...
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This paper presents the polypropylene (PP) micro-nano particles (MNPs) exposure routes of textile industry personnel and analyses the characteristics of such particles collected in and outside the workplaces. A Laser Aerosol Spectrometer set was used to determine: the total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, PM2.5, PM1 fractions (µm/m3), and the total number of particles (TC) (1/l) from the air. Specific methods for descriptive statistics were used to characterize the particle populations. Mean, dispersion and standard deviation, median and quartiles, skewness and kurtosis for asymmetry, and highlighting the cases in which they should be performed were calculated. The box plots and histograms graphs for TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, TC variables. The comparative analysis of the results led to the identification of the fraction of the particles with the highest value concentration in the air. The particles were collected on quartz and polycarbonate filters with gold membrane using TECORA and GilAirPlus pumps. The mass of particles collected was determined by weighing the filters before and after collection, using an electronic balance. Characterization of PP dust collected by analysis: Optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscopy, µRaman spectroscopy, FTIR, and TG-DSC allowed the identification of the shape, size, and structural footprint of PP particles.