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Indoor-outdoor concentration of particulate matter in a lead-zinc mine: A case study from China

ABSTRACT
Due to the unique environment of mines, there are significant differences in pollutants in different production and operation locations. This paper takes a case study mine to test and study the distribution of indoor and outdoor particulate matter mass concentration, particle number concentration in three measurement locations, and conduct in-depth analysis of its pollution status and differentiated impact. The results indicated in different locations, the concentration of particle sizes less than 0.3 μm is higher, and the concentration of range of particle sizes is higher indoor than outdoor. The office area has the highest I/On value of 1.27 at a particle size of 0.29, the dormitory area also has the highest I/On value of 1.31 at a particle size of 0.29, and the flotation plant has the highest I/On value of 4.85 at a particle size of 0.375. The mass concentration of indoor and outdoor particulate matter in the flotation plant is higher than that in the office area and dormitory area, with only the concentration in the flotation plant exceeding the standard. The I/Oc values in different locations are all greater than 1, and the indoor particulate matter concentration is higher than that outdoors. The outdoor particulate matter concentration is mainly affected by indoor particulate matter. It can provide reference value for the safe construction of mining environment.
KEYWORDS
PAPER SUBMITTED: 2025-04-19
PAPER REVISED: 2025-05-28
PAPER ACCEPTED: 2025-06-04
PUBLISHED ONLINE: 2025-07-05
DOI REFERENCE: https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI250419126Y
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