Urban road dust may contain potentially hazardous pollutants which may cause adverse health effects. Road dust samples were collected on construction sites and analysed to determine specific tracers and potential health-related effects. Pseudowollastonite was successfully identified as a unique tracer for construction and demolition works. Significant concentrations of toxic heavy metals were found in the fine fraction of construction-related road dust, which implied enhanced health risks. The primary cytotoxicity assays showed a definite concentration-dependent decrease in metabolic activity and loss of viability, as well as increased intracellular ROS levels and decreased mitochondrial activity compared to the control.

We have equipped welders with 2 Partector 2 Pro, one inside the PAPR mask, and one in the breathing zone outside the mask. The protection of the PAPR mask was 124 while welding but due to non-welding tasks with the mask off, the total protection factor over a full work day was much lower, only around a protective factor of two.

This shows the importance of wearing the PAPR mask during the full work day.

Rising global metal demand increases worker exposure to toxic airborne metal aerosols in mining and processing. Traditional monitoring lacks real-time tracking and elemental analysis. In September 2024, we assessed copper mining stages using advanced instruments, including the XACT 625i XRF analyzer, optical particle counters, and impactors. Personal exposure measurements combined with near real-time and time-integrated sampling to assess inhalable and respirable dust fractions. Findings revealed significant variations in PM10 metal concentrations. Positive Matrix Factorization will help identify aerosol sources. Insights will guide targeted health interventions and regulatory compliance, improving workplace air quality and advancing real-time exposure assessment methods.

Occupational exposure as firefighter has been classified as carcinogenic to humans. Fires in buildings release large amounts of air pollutants to nearby areas, with unknown health impacts. Fire smoke consists of a range of toxic compounds in the particle and gas-phase including Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

The study involves a unique combination of upscaled room size compartment fires in eight different environments, aerosol characterisation using a mobile lab and extensive toxicological studies of PM emissions. The results show how aerosol emissions and toxicity depend on burning conditions and different fire scenarios.