Study of Coal Dust in Curtis Bay Neighborhood
Author Information
Author(s): Aubourg Matthew A., Livi Kenneth J.T., Sawtell Gregory G., Sanchez-Gonzalez Carlos C., Spada Nicholas J., Dickerson Russell R., Chiou Wen-An, Kamanzi Conchita, Ramachandran Gurumurthy, Rule Ana M., Heaney Christopher D.
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Is there coal dust present in the Curtis Bay community near the coal terminal?
Conclusion
The study confirmed the presence of coal dust in residential areas of Curtis Bay, aligning with community concerns.
Supporting Evidence
- Coal dust was found in settled dust samples from two locations near the coal terminal.
- At the closer location, 13.2 coal particles/mm2 were identified.
- At the farther location, 3.4 coal particles/mm2 were identified.
- Residents have reported black dust accumulation for decades.
- The study used a community-driven approach to address local concerns.
Takeaway
The study found coal dust in the air and on surfaces in a neighborhood next to a coal terminal, which worries local residents.
Methodology
Dust samples were collected from two residential areas and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Limitations
The study could not analyze coal particles smaller than 5 μm, which may also be present.
Participant Demographics
Residents of Curtis Bay, Baltimore, Maryland.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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