Airborne particulate matter (PM₁₀) in the china clay area, Cornwall, UK

Abstract

Work was undertaken in 1997 as part of a UK government programme to monitor air quality in the Cornish china clay area. These studies showed that concentrations of airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM10) did not exceed UK National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS, 1995) guidelines but were, however, greater than those normally associated with rural areas. Subsequently, in the summer of 2000, airborne dust sampling was conducted at three sites around the IMERYS (formerly ECCI) Kernick mica dam, a potential source of resuspended airborne particulates from china clay waste minerals. Analytical scanning electron microscopy examination of the collected material suggested that up to 61% of the airborne PM10 monitored next to the mica dam could be associated with china clay extraction compared with 46% 2 km to the south. Results showed the presence of substantial percentages of respirable kaolinite, muscovite and quartz; the major components of china clay waste. The health effects of the particular mineral dust emissions associated with china clay mining are reviewed.

Primary blasting in a limestone quarry: physicochemical characterization of the dust clouds

“…Urban growth and development has brought to the forefront environ mental concerns about airborne particulates, their nuisance value and possible detrimental effects on human health, especially where industrial sites are close to housing. These concerns about industrial can be either very local, in the case of small quarries, or cover large areas, such as the China Clay workings of Cornwall (Parsons et al, 2003). Typically, the nuisance dusts might soil drying clothes, collect in roadside gutters, or coat plants, window sills or cars.…”