FUGITIVE DUST IN THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AT AN ITALIAN QUARRY

Abstract

This paper refers on the result of an experimental work developed at an Italian limestone quarry. In such a site the pollutant emissions connected with standard activities such as drilling, blasting or crushing materials represent primary dust sources and contribute to determine the PM10 concentration all over the quarry plant and the surrounding area. Moreover many studies underlined the important contribution of secondary sources in the assessment of airborne dust climate. These ones, generally constituted by stockpiling or unpaved hauling roads, especially if in dry conditions and exposed to wind erosion, may affect OH&S environment and generate a massive airborne dust impact on the surrounding receptors. In this study, an emission model, based on emission factors is set up and a simulation is performed to define the PM10 concentration in the site. Then according with a sampling campaign, the quality of obtained results is verified and the two data sets are compared. The data analysis shows encouraging results that may assume a more general suitability if further studies should confirm this outcome.