Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards

During the natural cooling process of magnesium slag stockpiles in the open air, the phase transformation of gamma-dicalcium silicate (γ-C<sub>2</sub>S) induces a powdering phenomenon, resulting in the generation of a large amount of PM10 and PM2.5 dust. Based on the dust emission model...

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Main Authors: Jing Hua, Yuanchao Zhao, Yuanzheng Zhang, Yining Zhu, Chang Liu, Fenghe Wang, Xiaowei Xu, Qi Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/307
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author Jing Hua
Yuanchao Zhao
Yuanzheng Zhang
Yining Zhu
Chang Liu
Fenghe Wang
Xiaowei Xu
Qi Yu
author_facet Jing Hua
Yuanchao Zhao
Yuanzheng Zhang
Yining Zhu
Chang Liu
Fenghe Wang
Xiaowei Xu
Qi Yu
author_sort Jing Hua
collection DOAJ
description During the natural cooling process of magnesium slag stockpiles in the open air, the phase transformation of gamma-dicalcium silicate (γ-C<sub>2</sub>S) induces a powdering phenomenon, resulting in the generation of a large amount of PM10 and PM2.5 dust. Based on the dust emission model of stockpiles and the Gaussian dispersion model, combined with the Monte Carlo simulation method, this study conducted a quantitative assessment of the environmental risk of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr(VI)) in dust to the surrounding residential areas. The results show that the enrichment degree of heavy metals in PM2.5 is significantly higher than that in PM10. At a downwind distance of 1000 m, the exceedance multiples of Cr(VI), As, and Cd reach 131.5, 23.6, and 51.8 times, respectively. The total carcinogenic risk (9.2 × 10<sup>−7</sup>) and total non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (0.15) in the residential area are below the limits, but the contribution rates of As and Cd are relatively high. Sensitivity analysis further reveals that the moisture content of the stockpile, dust removal rate, and distance are the key control parameters affecting the environmental risk. Based on the research findings, it is recommended to increase sprinkling frequency, install windbreak nets, and promote magnesium slag utilization to effectively control dust risks.
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spelling doaj-art-2ced36fea4cd42f2b4fbe974549f39e92025-08-20T03:13:59ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-04-0113430710.3390/toxics13040307Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag YardsJing Hua0Yuanchao Zhao1Yuanzheng Zhang2Yining Zhu3Chang Liu4Fenghe Wang5Xiaowei Xu6Qi Yu7Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, ChinaNanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, ChinaNanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaNanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, ChinaNanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Nanjing 210042, ChinaDepartment of Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, ChinaDuring the natural cooling process of magnesium slag stockpiles in the open air, the phase transformation of gamma-dicalcium silicate (γ-C<sub>2</sub>S) induces a powdering phenomenon, resulting in the generation of a large amount of PM10 and PM2.5 dust. Based on the dust emission model of stockpiles and the Gaussian dispersion model, combined with the Monte Carlo simulation method, this study conducted a quantitative assessment of the environmental risk of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr(VI)) in dust to the surrounding residential areas. The results show that the enrichment degree of heavy metals in PM2.5 is significantly higher than that in PM10. At a downwind distance of 1000 m, the exceedance multiples of Cr(VI), As, and Cd reach 131.5, 23.6, and 51.8 times, respectively. The total carcinogenic risk (9.2 × 10<sup>−7</sup>) and total non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (0.15) in the residential area are below the limits, but the contribution rates of As and Cd are relatively high. Sensitivity analysis further reveals that the moisture content of the stockpile, dust removal rate, and distance are the key control parameters affecting the environmental risk. Based on the research findings, it is recommended to increase sprinkling frequency, install windbreak nets, and promote magnesium slag utilization to effectively control dust risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/307magnesium slagdust pollutionheavy metalsenvironmental riskresource utilization
spellingShingle Jing Hua
Yuanchao Zhao
Yuanzheng Zhang
Yining Zhu
Chang Liu
Fenghe Wang
Xiaowei Xu
Qi Yu
Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
Toxics
magnesium slag
dust pollution
heavy metals
environmental risk
resource utilization
title Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
title_full Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
title_fullStr Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
title_full_unstemmed Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
title_short Environmental and Health Risk Assessment of Fugitive Dust from Magnesium Slag Yards
title_sort environmental and health risk assessment of fugitive dust from magnesium slag yards
topic magnesium slag
dust pollution
heavy metals
environmental risk
resource utilization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/307
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