Determining the Source of Fugitive Dust in Lattimer, Pennsylvania

Fugitive dust samples collected from residential properties in the village of Lattimer, Pennsylvania were analyzed for total concentrations of major and minor elements Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Mg, Na, K, C, and S using energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. Observed under high magnification, the individual dust particles are irregular-shaped with angular edges and range in size from 20 to 150 microns. Rock samples of gray to black organic-rich mudstone, shale, and siltstone units interbedded with thin layers of anthracite coal were collected next to a rock quarry operation that is suspected as a possible source of the fugitive dust. Major and minor element concentrations in the rock samples are compared to major and minor element concentrations in 150 individual dust particles. The fugitive dust and rock samples that were analyzed have Si concentrations that vary from 0.08 to 43.34 wt.% and C concentrations that vary from 3.36 to 95.68 wt.%. All of the major and minor element concentrations in the rock samples lie within the representative range of element concentrations in the individual dust particles. The Si and C concentrations in the fugitive dust suggest that the particles originated from a carbon-rich silicate rock source. Five of the fugitive dust particles analyzed had C concentrations in excess of 60 wt.% and can be considered coal dust. Results suggest that the chemical composition of the fugitive dust particles is consistent with the chemical composition of the rocks that are actively extracted and crushed at the rock quarry site located adjacent to the village of Lattimer, Pennsylvania.