Mineralogy and Characteristics of Occupational and Environmental Dust Exposures

Dear Colleagues,

Respirable-sized airborne particulates are ubiquitous and can originate from a wide variety of sources, both natural and anthropogenic. Occupational exposure to dust sourced from geologic materials, such as silica, asbestos, and coal, has long been associated with pulmonary disease in mine, construction, and ceramics workers. It is now widely recognized that cardiovascular effects are also possible. In some populations, environmental exposures to mineral dusts are increasingly of concern. However, detailed analysis of dust is rarely available to characterize mineralogic constituents, particle size distribution and surface reactivity, or trace elements. Such information is critical to identifying and controlling dust sources, and to understanding potential health outcomes.

This Special Issue of Minerals aims to cover research related to mineralogic and characteristic analysis of respirable dust exposures. Example topics could include sampling and analytical methods, dust generation and control, biological response to dust constituents, and case studies. Papers relevant to both occupational and environmental exposures are welcome.

Dr. Emily Sarver
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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