Examining particulate matter exposures in & around an opencast coal mine in Southern India

摘要: Materials and Methods: Secondary data for bi-weekly groundbased observations of PM10 & PM2. 5 collected between March 2017-April 2018 were obtained for the Manuguru Opencast Coal Project, Bhadradri-Kothegudem district, Telangana, India. Observations were made from ten locations situated 0.5 e 5 km from the mine & Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation model was applied to determine PM concentrations at specific operation sites (within mine) & residential areas (outside mine) using QGIS 3.10.Results and Conclusion: Spatial interpolation revealed the highest concentration of pollutants inside the mining area. Interpolated seasonal PM10 concentration inside the mining zone were 151 e 170 μg/m3 (Summer), 112 e 122 μg/m3 (Monsoon), 99 e 100 μg/m3 (post-monsoon & winter) & PM2. 5 concentrations were 54-60 μg/m3 (Summer), 45-48 μg/m3 (Monsoon), & 46 e 50 μg/m3 (Postmonsoon & Winter). Summer PM10 concentrations were highest near the mine, suggesting likely contribution by enhanced resuspension of mine dust. Our study highlights the significance of pollutant modeling in mining areas for better occupational & environmental health practices. Further prediction of diesel & dustrelated PM exposures through dispersion modeling is underway.