PICO
Geologic materials, including rocks, soils, dusts, volcanic ashes, and cosmic dust, may contain elevated concentrations of elements and minerals which pose risks to human health and can be classified as toxic contaminants. These are released into the air by both natural processes (e.g., rock weathering, volcanic activity) and human disturbance of rock and soils for mining and construction works.
Exposure to mineral dust is a significant global contributor to many diseases. Although occupational diseases have declined in many regions due to the adoption of more strict regulations, the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually, 89% of which occurred in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2022). Current research on hazardous mineral dusts is focused mainly on asbestos and elongated mineral particles, silica, silicates (i.e., erionite, talc, kaolinite), carbon particles, Ti- and Fe- oxides, volcanic ashes, cosmic dusts, and more in general composite dusts. Sustainability-oriented research in the frame of critical resource mining aims to develop innovative solutions to tackle the environmental dispersion of inhalable particulates, including conversion of hazardous wastes into non-hazardous and reusable new materials. Policymaking plays a crucial role in regulating exposure to potentially hazardous geological materials, through establishing safety standards, monitoring compliance, and addressing the management of hazardous waste sites. Effective policies can drive innovation and encourage the development of safer alternatives, as well as promote the mitigation of risks associated with natural and industrial sources of hazardous mineral dusts. The goal is to develop an integrated occupational and environmental approach (exposome) to control health hazards and raise awareness of the associated social and environmental impacts.
We invite submissions addressing all aspects of the occurrence of hazardous mineral dusts and their environmental, occupational, and non-conventional exposures, ranging from local to global scales. Contributions are welcome in the fields of medical and environmental mineralogy, geology, chemistry, medicine and health sciences, risk assessment, public health and regulation. We also encourage contributions focusing on risk mitigation, new solutions and future perspectives for these important materials.