Authors : Appiah, Mark Kubi

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mr4ad6hu

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yuhjm9mz

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar109

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Abstract : Thermal modification of wood at low-level temperatures is increasingly adopted as a sustainable alternative to chemical preservation for improving dimensional stability and durability. However, thermochemical processing of biomass can emit fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) laden with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), creating significant risks to both environmental health and occupational safety. This study quantified PM₂.₅-bound PTE emissions during lowtemperature thermal wood processing and evaluated their atmospheric transport and health implications. A multi-phase methodology integrated gravimetric PM₂.₅ sampling using PTFE filters, hotplate wet acid digestion, and determining the concentration of the PTEs using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. Ambient occupational PM₂.₅ concentrations were calculated from filter mass differentials and sampled air volumes. A mechanistic Thermo– Particulate Metal Fate and Transport Model (TPM-FTM) was developed to couple thermochemical emission processes, particle–metal partitioning, atmospheric dispersion, deposition, and receptor exposure. Model performance was evaluated using statistical metrics, and uncertainty propagation was assessed through Monte Carlo simulation. Detectable concentrations of PTE-associated PM₂.₅ were observed under low-temperature operational conditions, with size-resolved partitioning influencing atmospheric mobility and inhalation exposure. Occupational environments exhibited higher exposure levels compared with near-field community locations. Evaluations against established regulatory standards confirmed that exposure to these emissions poses no significant carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic health risks, with values generally falling within acceptable limits; localized emission intensities and ventilation conditions increased exposure variability. This study provides an integrated experimental–modeling framework for assessing particulate-bound metal emissions from thermally modified wood processing and offers evidence-based guidance for emission mitigation, occupational safety management, and regulatory evaluation.

Keywords : PM₂.₅; Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs); Thermal Modification of Wood; ICP-OES; PTFE Filter Sampling; Thermochemical Emissions ; Atmospheric Fate and Transport; Monte Carlo Simulation; Occupational Exposure; Environmental Risk Assessment; TPM-FTM Model.

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