Determination of the chemical composition of the residual powder in order to identify the source of release

Abstract

Particles in suspension come mainly from pollutant emissions generated by industry, traffic, home heating, etc. Due to these particles, various diseases can occur, such as lung cancer, asthma, cardiovascular diseases. An important problem is represented by the particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometers, which pass through the nose and throat and enter the alveoli of the lungs causing inflammation and intoxication. This paper aimed to establish the chemical composition of residual powders in a production hall from the automotive industry, to identify the source of release. For this, the infrared spectrometry (FTIR) method, the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method, and the x-ray spectrometry (XRF) method were used. Two samples of dust from different locations of the production hall were analyzed, as well as a substance used in the process, to determine whether the dust came from its use. A series of safety data sheets for substances used in the technological process was also analyzed. The results obtained from the qualitative and quantitative determinations were evaluated considering the chemical composition of all substances involved, leading to the identification of the residual dust release source.