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Quantifying respirable crystalline silica in the ambient air of the Hunter Valley, NSW - sorting the silica from the silicon

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/169381

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Title: Quantifying respirable crystalline silica in the ambient air of the Hunter Valley, NSW - sorting the silica from the silicon
Related: International Clean Air and Environment Conference (20th : 2011) (31 July - 2 August 2011 : Auckland)
Related: Proceedings of the 20th Clean Air & Environment Conference : air quality : a healthy balance
Publisher: The Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ)
Date: 2011
Author/Creator: Morrison, Anthony
Author/Creator: Nelson, Peter F
Author/Creator: Stelcer, Eduard
Author/Creator: Cohen, David
Author/Creator: Haberlah, David
Description: Crystalline forms of silica are known to cause lung damage for which there is no effective treatment. Silicon is abundant in crustal material and silicates are the single largest mineral grouping, with silica (SiO₂) being the most abundant crustal compound. Media reports of high levels of silicon in particles in the air in the vicinity of Hunter Valley open-cut coal mines have caused community anxiety and concerns about potential health impacts on local populations. An extensive sampling campaign using continuous air quality monitoring and targeted collection of particles has been carried out in an area close to mining operations. It was determined that silicon as silica was present in the ambient air, although the concentrations of crystalline silica measured suggest that it should not should cause health problems even for sensitive individuals within the general population. The results of the research should inform more rigorous discussions of air quality management plans for fine particles in the Hunter Valley and aid discussions of community concerns over the potential health impacts of coal mining.
Description: 6 page(s)
Subject Keyword: silica
Subject Keyword: health impacts
Subject Keyword: coal mining
Subject Keyword: Hunter Valley
Resource Type: conference paper
Organisation: Macquarie University. Graduate School of the Environment

Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/169381
Identifier: ISBN:9780980604535
Identifier: mq-rm-2011006306
Identifier: mq_res-20120522-105814
Language: eng
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