Characteristics of generated aerosol suspensions-complexes at traditional and modernized aluminum electrolysis technologies

Introduction. Assessment of occupational risk and mechanisms of workers' health disorders due to exposure to complex aerosol suspensions determines the need for in-depth study of the physicochemical properties of dust particles in the air.

The study aim was the assessment of the dispersion and chemical composition of complex aerosol suspensions affecting workers in traditional and modernized aluminum production technologies.

Materials and methods. The monitoring of air pollution of the working area with soluble and insoluble fluorides, aluminum trioxide aerosols was carried out using standard analysis methods, the dispersed and chemical composition of aerosol suspensions was studied using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.

Results. The highest average shift concentration of fluorides, exceeding the occupational exposure limit by 4.7–12.5 times, are observed in the working area of professions serving electrolyzers and anodes, with a predominance of insoluble fluorides over soluble ones. Cases of exceeding the occupational exposure limit of aluminum trioxide by 1.9–2.6 times were noted. Dust suspended in the air of the working area consists of highly and ultradispersed aerosol mixtures of various chemical nature, including particles of the nanoscale range, impurities of heavy metals and toxic compounds. Highly dispersed dust particles, mainly alumina and fluorocarbon compounds, dominated in the air of workshops with traditional aluminum electrolysis technology, while micro- and nanoparticles, consisting mainly of cryolite and a mixture of aluminum fluoride with alumina, dominated in the modernized one.

Conclusion. The exposure of complex multicomponent aerosol mixtures of aluminum production can pose a danger to the health of workers, which requires an in-depth analysis of the chemical and dispersed composition of aerosols when assessing the exposure of the dust factor and improving the complexes of preventive measures to prevent the development of diseases.

Contribution:
Shayakhmetov S.F. — the concept and design of the study, writing a text, editing the article;
Rukavishnikov V.S. — the concept and design of the study, editing the article;
Lisetskaya L.G. — collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Merinov A.V. — collection and processing of material, writing a text.

Funding. Financing of the work was carried out at the expense of funds allocated for the state assignment of the East-Siberian Institute of Medical and Ecological Research.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Received: 02.07.2022 / Accepted: 03.08.2022 / Published: 15.08.2022

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