Particle size and mineralogy distributions in respirable dust samples from 25 US underground coal mines

Updating “Characteristics of respirable dust in eight Appalachian coal mines: A dataset including particle size and mineralogy distributions, and metal and trace element mass concentrations” with expanded data to cover a total of 25 US mines

“…The SEM-EDX work was performed using two computer-controlled routines, updated from Sarver et al [1] . The elemental data were used to infer particle mineralogy following published criteria [2] , also updated from Sarver et al [1] . Potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble metal and trace element concentrations were estimated by performing sequential digestions (first in simulated lung fluid, then in strong acid) and analyzing the digestate solutions by ICP-MS using a Thermo Electron iCAP-RQ ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA).…”

“… Potentially bioaccessible and total acid-soluble metal and trace element concentrations were estimated by performing sequential digestions (first in simulated lung fluid, then in strong acid) and analyzing the digestate solutions by ICP-MS using a Thermo Electron iCAP-RQ ICP-MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). Data format Raw and analyzed Description of data collection Respirable coal mine dust samples were collected onto polycarbonate (PC) filters as described in Sarver et al [2] . SEM-EDX work was performed directly on the filters (after sputter-coating with Au/Pd) using two computer-controlled routines, updated from Sarver et al [1] .…”

“… Data source location The respirable dust samples were collected in 25 underground coal mines located in different regions of the United States. A description of the mines is included in Sarver et al [2] . Exact locations/mine identities are not disclosed, however the relevant characteristics were published (e.g., geographic region, coal seam thickness and total mining height, description of any rock strata being mined along with the coal).…”

“…One sample from each set was analyzed by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) using two computer-controlled routines (i.e., one targeting submicron particles and the other targeting supramicron particles) to collect data on particle size and relative elemental ratios; data on a per-particle basis is available at: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/zhvszymk7t/1 . From the elemental data, particle mineralogy was also inferred using published classification criteria [2] . SEM images and EDX data from the submicron routine were also reviewed manually to assess the presence of particles consistent with morphology and chemistry of diesel particulate matter (DPM) [2] .…”

“…From the elemental data, particle mineralogy was also inferred using published classification criteria [2] . SEM images and EDX data from the submicron routine were also reviewed manually to assess the presence of particles consistent with morphology and chemistry of diesel particulate matter (DPM) [2] . (It is noted that the SEM-EDX analysis described here represents an improvement over that used to generate the original dataset [1] because it enables further subclassification of particle mineralogy and assessment of DPM.…”