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Dusts generally damage the lungs and respiratory system, but some species can
also cause cancer. The major diseases associated with inhalation of hazardous
dusts are:
• Benign pneumoconiosis. Disease caused by inhalation of harmless dust that
accumulates in the lungs to such an extent that they are visible on an X-ray. They
do not damage the lung tissue, and therefore the disease does not create difficulties. This condition is most commonly associated with metal dusts such as iron
and tin.
• Pneumoconiosis. Common name for a group of chronic lung diseases caused by
inhalation of ore dust particles. The term includes several diseases that are named
after the dust they are caused by. The most famous are asbestosis (from asbestos
dust), silicosis (from dust containing silicates) and talc (from talc dust).
• Pneumonitis. Inflammation of the lung tissue or bronchioles, mainly caused by
inhalation of certain metal dusts. The symptoms are reminiscent of pneumonia,
but vary in severity, depending on the metal inhaled. It is most often caused by
cadmium and beryllium dusts.
• Lung mesothelioma. Lung tumour, mainly caused by asbestos and toxic metals
exposure.
• Lung cancer. It can also be caused by exposure to asbestos and heavy metals.
6.4 Dust Emissions and Distribution
The physical properties of dust obey natural laws that are not identical to those that
apply to solid and liquid bodies. Thus, for example, the pressure on the walls of a
box full of dust does not have to be the same at all points. Dust is harmful for several
reasons, because it can cause health problems not only for workers who have daily
contact with it but also for the population in the wider environment. Erosions that
occur in landfills under the influence of wind are one of the main sources of dust.
Landfill work itself also leads to dust emissions. Landfill management is a complex
process and often requires constant traffic to and around the landfill where dust
emissions also occur.
The intensity of dust release depends on several factors: characteristics of coal,
moisture content, particle shape, landfill geometry, position and method of formation and climatic conditions. The determination of the dust generated depends on
one key factor and that is the amount of moisture. The moisture that is in the landfills is a consequence of precipitation, the process of washing coal, etc. Climatic
conditions affect the amount of dust emission. Regular control of dust emissions at
landfills is important because of environmental protection and economy.
The most favourable moment for the selection of systems that serve for protection
against dust is in the landfill planning phase. In the end, this turned out to be a much
more cost-effective way than taking action afterwards. The basic methods of dust
control are wind control, landfill coverings, wetting dust emission control systems
6 Evidence for Atmospheric Depositions Using Attic Dust, Spatial Mapping…
Dusts generally damage the lungs and respiratory system, but some species can
also cause cancer. The major diseases associated with inhalation of hazardous
dusts are:
• Benign pneumoconiosis. Disease caused by inhalation of harmless dust that
accumulates in the lungs to such an extent that they are visible on an X-ray. They
do not damage the lung tissue, and therefore the disease does not create difficulties. This condition is most commonly associated with metal dusts such as iron
and tin.
• Pneumoconiosis. Common name for a group of chronic lung diseases caused by
inhalation of ore dust particles. The term includes several diseases that are named
after the dust they are caused by. The most famous are asbestosis (from asbestos
dust), silicosis (from dust containing silicates) and talc (from talc dust).
• Pneumonitis. Inflammation of the lung tissue or bronchioles, mainly caused by
inhalation of certain metal dusts. The symptoms are reminiscent of pneumonia,
but vary in severity, depending on the metal inhaled. It is most often caused by
cadmium and beryllium dusts.
• Lung mesothelioma. Lung tumour, mainly caused by asbestos and toxic metals
exposure.
• Lung cancer. It can also be caused by exposure to asbestos and heavy metals.
6.4 Dust Emissions and Distribution
The physical properties of dust obey natural laws that are not identical to those that
apply to solid and liquid bodies. Thus, for example, the pressure on the walls of a
box full of dust does not have to be the same at all points. Dust is harmful for several
reasons, because it can cause health problems not only for workers who have daily
contact with it but also for the population in the wider environment. Erosions that
occur in landfills under the influence of wind are one of the main sources of dust.
Landfill work itself also leads to dust emissions. Landfill management is a complex
process and often requires constant traffic to and around the landfill where dust
emissions also occur.
The intensity of dust release depends on several factors: characteristics of coal,
moisture content, particle shape, landfill geometry, position and method of formation and climatic conditions. The determination of the dust generated depends on
one key factor and that is the amount of moisture. The moisture that is in the landfills is a consequence of precipitation, the process of washing coal, etc. Climatic
conditions affect the amount of dust emission. Regular control of dust emissions at
landfills is important because of environmental protection and economy.
The most favourable moment for the selection of systems that serve for protection
against dust is in the landfill planning phase. In the end, this turned out to be a much
more cost-effective way than taking action afterwards. The basic methods of dust
control are wind control, landfill coverings, wetting dust emission control systems
6 Evidence for Atmospheric Depositions Using Attic Dust, Spatial Mapping…