TY - JOUR
T1 - Metal-Containing Nanoparticles in Low-Rank Coal-Derived Fly Ash from China
T2 - Characterization and Implications toward Human Lung Toxicity
AU - Wu, Jiayuan
AU - Tou, Feiyun
AU - Yang, Yi
AU - Liu, Chang
AU - Hower, James C.
AU - Baalousha, Mohammed
AU - Wang, Gehui
AU - Liu, Min
AU - Hochella, Michael F.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©
PY - 2021/5/18
Y1 - 2021/5/18
N2 - Characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in coal fly ashes (CFAs) is critical for better understanding the potential health-related risks resulting from coal combustion. Based on single-particle (SP)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) coupled with transmission electron microscopy techniques, this study is the first to determine the concentrations and sizes of metal-containing NPs in low-rank coal-derived fly ashes. Despite only comprising a minor component of the studied CFAs by mass, NPs were the dominant fraction by particle number. Fe- and Ti-containing NPs were identified as the dominant NPs with their particle number concentration ranging from 2.5 × 107 to 2.5 × 108 particles/mg. In addition, the differences of Fe-/Ti-containing NPs in various CFAs were regulated by the coalification degree of feed coals and combustion conditions of all of the low-rank CFAs tested. In the cases where these NPs in CFAs become airborne and are inhaled, they can be taken up in pulmonary interstitial fluids. This study shows that in Gamble's solution (a lung fluid simulant), 51-87% of Fe and 63-89% of Ti (ratio of the mass of Fe-/Ti-containing NPs to the total mass of Fe/Ti) exist in the NP form and remain suspended in pulmonary fluid simulants. These NPs are bioavailable and may induce lung tissue damage.
AB - Characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in coal fly ashes (CFAs) is critical for better understanding the potential health-related risks resulting from coal combustion. Based on single-particle (SP)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) coupled with transmission electron microscopy techniques, this study is the first to determine the concentrations and sizes of metal-containing NPs in low-rank coal-derived fly ashes. Despite only comprising a minor component of the studied CFAs by mass, NPs were the dominant fraction by particle number. Fe- and Ti-containing NPs were identified as the dominant NPs with their particle number concentration ranging from 2.5 × 107 to 2.5 × 108 particles/mg. In addition, the differences of Fe-/Ti-containing NPs in various CFAs were regulated by the coalification degree of feed coals and combustion conditions of all of the low-rank CFAs tested. In the cases where these NPs in CFAs become airborne and are inhaled, they can be taken up in pulmonary interstitial fluids. This study shows that in Gamble's solution (a lung fluid simulant), 51-87% of Fe and 63-89% of Ti (ratio of the mass of Fe-/Ti-containing NPs to the total mass of Fe/Ti) exist in the NP form and remain suspended in pulmonary fluid simulants. These NPs are bioavailable and may induce lung tissue damage.
KW - SP-ICP-MS
KW - coal fly ash
KW - health risk
KW - lung fluid
KW - metal-containing NPs
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U2 - 10.1021/acs.est.1c00434
DO - 10.1021/acs.est.1c00434
M3 - Article
C2 - 33969690
AN - SCOPUS:85106464153
SN - 0013-936X
VL - 55
SP - 6644
EP - 6654
JO - Environmental Science and Technology
JF - Environmental Science and Technology
IS - 10
ER -