EMISSIONS FROM COMBUSTION OF INDOOR DUST

  • 1 January 1975
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 160  (4-5) , 499-508
Abstract
Dust combustion is an old problem of environmental hygiene which has gained a new importance since the introduction of electric storage heaters for space heating. [The reaction products of dust combustion irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract.] Physico-chemical changes caused by heating indoor dust in a model apparatus were investigated. Four dust samples of different origins were heated at 3 temperatures (200, 400, 600.degree. C) for 3 residence times (5, 15, 30 min). The higher the temperature, the higher the weight loss expressed as percentage (15-75%). The residence time had no effect on the loss. Three dust samples had a pH of about 7 before heated, while the 4th had a pH of about 10. After heating to 200.degree. C, the pH of one of the samples rose from 7 to 10. When heated to 400 and 600.degree. C, all the samples showed pH values between 10-11. The residence time had no effect. The pH of the gaseous reaction products did not show uniform pattern at 200.degree. C. At 400.degree. C, the measured pH was between 7.5-8.5, while at 600.degree. C no further change was observed. Changes in pH took place during the first 15 min. Chemical analysis of the reaction products with help of detector tubes indicated that dust samples when heated emit CO, CO2, oxides of nitrogen and ammonia. [The factors of outside air and tobacco smoke were also taken into account in the present study.].

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