Content of clinker and other materials in personal thoracic aerosol samples from cement plants estimated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis.

Objectives: To estimate the composition and exposure to clinker and other specific components in personal thoracic dust samples of cement production workers.

Methods: A procedure for the classification of airborne particles in cement production plants was developed based on classification trees. For this purpose, the chemical compositions of 27,217 particles in 29 material samples (clinker, limestone, gypsum, clay, quartz, bauxite, iron source, coal fly ash, and coal) were determined automatically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX).

A first account of the heterotrophic eukaryote Rabdiophrys Rainer from the fossil record and description of a new species from an ancient Eocene Arctic freshwater lake.

Rotosphaerids are unicellular, heterotrophic, eukayotic protists that have filopodia, an exterior covering consisting of highly ornamented siliceous scales, and are classified in the Rotosphaerida within the opistokont lineage. Given their appearance as relatively large spherical cells with protruding filopodia and a silica scale covering, they are often mistaken for centrohelid heliozoans. Even though these organisms are widely distributed in both marine and freshwater environments, many species are rarely reported, and none have been reported from the fossil record.

Kinetics and tissue distribution of bismuth, tin and lead after implantation of miniature shotgun alloy pellets in rats.

Introduction: Shotgun pellets containing bismuth (Bi) as substitute for lead (Pb) are increasingly being used due to environmental concerns. Information on toxicokinetics of Bi is lacking for the assessment of humans accidentally shot by Bi-containing shotgun alloy pellets.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were exposed to miniature alloy pellets containing Bi, tin (Sn) and minor amounts of Pb by implantation in muscle tissues of the hind legs.

Phase identification of individual crystalline particles by combining EDX and EBSD: application to workplace aerosols.

This paper discusses the combined use of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) to identify unknown phases in particulate matter from different workplace aerosols. Particles of α-silicon carbide (α-SiC), manganese oxide (MnO) and α-quartz (α-SiO) were used to test the method. Phase identification of spherical manganese oxide particles from ferromanganese production, with diameter less than 200 nm, was unambiguous, and phases of both MnO and MnO were identified in the same agglomerate.

Profile and Morphology of Fungal Aerosols Characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).

Fungal aerosols consist of spores and fragments with diverse array of morphologies; however, the size, shape, and origin of the constituents require further characterization. In this study, we characterize the profile of aerosols generated from , and grown for 8 weeks on gypsum boards. Fungal particles were aerosolized at 12 and 20 L min using the Fungal Spore Source Strength Tester (FSSST) and the Stami particle generator (SPG).

Indirect Immunodetection of Fungal Fragments by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Submicronic fungal fragments have been observed in in vitro aerosolization experiments. The occurrence of these particles has therefore been suggested to contribute to respiratory health problems observed in mold-contaminated indoor environments. However, the role of submicronic fragments in exacerbating adverse health effects has remained unclear due to limitations associated with detection methods.

Electron microscopy of particles deposited in the lungs of nickel refinery workers.

The size, morphology, and chemical composition of particles deposited in the lungs of two nickel refinery workers were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The particles were extracted from the lung tissue by low-temperature ashing or by dissolution in tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The suitability of both sample preparation techniques was checked with reference materials.

Involvement of IL-1 genes in the cellular responses to carbon nanotube exposure.

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) family has been implicated in cellular responses to nanoparticles including carbon nanotubes (CNTs). IL-1α and β are key proinflammatory cytokines important in inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of IL-1 in cellular responses of CNTs in cells from IL-1α/β wild type (IL1-WT) mice and cells with reduced inflammatory potential from IL-1α/β deficient (IL1-KO) mice.

Submicronic fungal bioaerosols: high-resolution microscopic characterization and quantification.

Submicronic particles released from fungal cultures have been suggested to be additional sources of personal exposure in mold-contaminated buildings. In vitro generation of these particles has been studied with particle counters, eventually supplemented by autofluorescence, that recognize fragments by size and discriminate biotic from abiotic particles. However, the fungal origin of submicronic particles remains unclear.

Characterisation of workplace aerosols in the manganese alloy production industry by electron microscopy.

Workplace aerosols in a combined FeMn and SiMn alloy smelter were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Special emphasis was placed on the characterisation of individual particles with diameters below 500 nm and on identification of the different manganese phases present in the workroom air. In high-carbon FeMn production, the submicron size fraction is dominated by MnO particles forming chain-like or compact agglomerates.

Characterization of individual aerosol particles in workroom air of aluminium smelter potrooms.

Aerosol particles with aerodynamic diameters between 0.18 and 10 microm were collected in the workroom air of two aluminium smelter potrooms with different production processes (Soderberg and Prebake processes). Size, morphology and chemical composition of more than 2000 individual particles were determined by high resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis.

The heterogeneous composition of working place aerosols in a nickel refinery: a transmission and scanning electron microscope study.

Size, morphology and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles collected in a nickel refinery were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The phase composition was determined by selected area electron diffraction and EDX in a transmission electron microscope. Most particles are heterogeneous on a nanometer scale and consist of various phases.