On the additional risk for human health in the use of sandblasting of building walls

Abstract

In 2021, concentrations of heavy metals (Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ru, Sr, Zn, Zr) and radiocesium (¹³⁷Cs) were measured in 13 locations in Vilnius in surface samples of walls and facades of buildings built of yellow bricks in order to evaluate possible aerosol air pollution due to sandblasting. The activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs appeared there as a result of global fallout and precipitation of the products of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and the concentration of Pb, as a component of road transport emissions. Other trace elements turned out to be impurities in the material of yellow bricks. In spring 2018, sandblasting of the walls of the building adjacent to the school led to the long-term significant aerosol contamination of school premises (up to 660 µg/m³). Due to sandblasting, the surface of the school sport yard was covered with a thin layer of scraped particles, which were transported by gusts of wind into the school premises. Sandblasting of walls and facades can also be a source of aerosols with ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations reaching ~ 40 Bq/kg and Pb - up to 98 ppm. Estimates show that along with ¹³⁷Cs, the formation of aerosols with activity concentrations of ^{239, 240}Pu reaching 1.6 Bq/kg is possible. Isotopes of ^{239, 240}Pu are analogues of calcium and, when ingested, are deposited in the bones. The ingress of radioactive aerosols into the respiratory tract, especially of children of primary school age, creates additional risks of malignant diseases.

Keywords: Aerosol pollution; Children; Heavy metals; Plutonium; Radiocesium; Risk to health; Sandblasting.