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Air pollution is one of the most serious and intensively studied environmental problems of our time. Particulate matter (PM) air pollution has been shown to have adverse effects on human health, as well as the environment. The negative effects of pollutants can cause a wide range of health problems, from mild to serious illness to premature mortality. One of the sources of environmental pollution is biomass burning. During combustion, particles of different sizes and compositions are produced. Their formation depends on the characteristics of the fuel, the type of the combustion plant and the combustion conditions. Due to the complexity of the formation and growth of fine particles, there is a number of factors that influence the concentration, size and toxicity of fine particles. The aim of this work is to investigate the possible ecotoxic effects of PM released from biomass combustion in a log feed stove. Based on the results obtained from the acute toxicity test on Daphnia magna, a toxic effect on the aquatic environment (aquatic system) has been demonstrated in most cases. The resulting EC50 for a 24-hour exposure is 37 % and 16 % for a 48-hour exposure. The toxicity is caused mainly by PM-bounded polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) in urban environment is an ongoing problem with increasing severity. With the gradual evolution of electromobility and lowemission heat sources, the focus is shifting to non-exhaust PM emissions. Wind induced PM resuspension is one of them. This source is hardly amenable to mitigation measures. It was assumed, that only coarse PM (PM10-2,5) can be lifted from the ground by the wind. By the evaluation of the long-term data series, we can divide the PM10 concentration to its fractions PM10-2,5, PM2,5-1, PM1 and evaluate their behaviour. The aim of the work was to evaluate the data in order to recognize the resuspension process, even with a fine fraction, PM1. The data were then compared with the NOx values to determine if the PM originated from combustion processes. The original assumption of a correlation between NOx and PM1 was not confirmed in most cases. The results show that in some cases coarse PM are dominantly associated with NOx. The correlation of fine and coarse particles with NOx in resuspension process depends primarily on the time period of the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progress in new technologies brings with it unknown dangers and risks. The biggest development of the last few years is the use and production of fine and ultrafine particles (aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm), which, according to new studies, may have a negative impact on human health. It is very important to deal with this problem, especially from the point of view of workers who are at the front line of contact with these new materials, and it means that they are also at the greatest risk. There is yet no uniform procedure for determining the exposure of workers to fine and ultrafine particles in the working environment. This article deals with the introduction of a certified methodology from the Czech Republic, which focuses on the evaluation of the OSH management system and the improvement of its level and efficiency in operations burdened with these particles. The proposed methodology is based on nanosafety materials from the OECD. The second part of this article is about the applicability of this methodology, which is explained by a model example in one selected operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]