Use of dust fall filters as passive samplers for metal concentrations in air for communities near contaminated mine tailings

Abstract

Mine tailings are a source of metal exposures in many rural communities. Multiple air samples are necessary to assess the extent of exposures and factors contributing to these exposures. However, air sampling equipment is costly and requires trained personnel to obtain measurements, limiting the number of samples that can be collected. Simple, low-cost methods are needed to allow for increased sample collection. The objective of our study was to assess if dust fall filters can serve as passive air samplers and be used to characterize potential exposures in a community near contaminated mine tailings. We placed filters in cylinders, concurrently with active indoor air samplers, in 10 occupied homes. We calculated an estimated flow rate by dividing the mass on each dust fall filter by the bulk air concentration and the sampling duration. The mean estimated flow rate for dust fall filters was significantly different during sampling periods with precipitation. The estimated flow rate was used to estimate metal concentration in the air of these homes, as well as in 31 additional homes in another rural community impacted by contaminated mine tailings. The estimated air concentrations had a significant linear association with the measured air concentrations for beryllium, manganese and arsenic (p<0.05), whose primary source in indoor air is resuspended soil from outdoors. In the second rural community, our estimated metal concentrations in air were comparable to active air sampling measurements taken previously. This passive air sampler is a simple low-cost method to assess potential exposures near contaminated mining sites.

Multimedia exposures to arsenic and lead for children near an inactive mine tailings and smelter site

“…Dust fall was collected using four filters, 3 mixed cellulose ester (MCE) 142 mm diameter filters that were cut down to 120 mm diameter and a single 120 mm glass fiber filter (Beamer et al, 2014). They were placed in petri dishes protected by steel cans open on both ends.…”

Arsenic and Environmental Health: State of the Science and Future Research Opportunities

“…Once specific genes and organisms are identified, they may be useful as sensors in future rapid, portable testing systems. Exposure to arsenic also can occur indoors from dust, and a new passive sampler device provides a low-cost method for assessing indoor air exposure ( Beamer et al 2014 ).…”

“…Understanding arsenic exposure from dust, soil, and air. Arsenic exposure from dust, soil, and air should be better quantified and characterized, particularly near former mining sites, smelting sites, and industrial areas, including Superfund sites ( Beamer et al 2014 ; Menka et al 2014 ; Taylor et al 2014 ). A Superfund site is a location in the United States that has been contaminated with hazardous waste and identified as a priority site for cleanup by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) because it poses a significant risk to human health and/or the environment ( U.S. EPA 2015b ).…”

Reporting back environmental exposure data and free choice learning

“…The Metals Exposure Study in Homes (MESH) project was developed in response to community concerns about exposure to metal(loid)s such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, beryllium, aluminum, and chromium. MESH assessed metal concentrations in multiple environmental matrices and their associations with levels of exposure in local children (1–11 years of age) [ 36 ]. After the completion of the MESH study and data report back efforts, participants were asked to reflect upon the report back experience, their understanding of results, and actions in response to their results.…”