Analysis and attribution of technogenic magnetic airborne particulate from electric arc furnace emissions: Account of a convenient monitoring tool

The areal distribution and environmental impact of pollutants from present and past industrial activities are often difficult and expensive to be properly assessed and yet their evaluation is of paramount importance in accurate epidemiologic studies. We address the case of widespread, long-lasting occurrence of particulate emission from an electric arc furnace (EAF) and investigate the potential of mosses as ubiquitous trap where airborne dust can be held and stored for many years. Solid particles from moss samples collected up to 15 km from the EAF plant are investigated. Magnetic spherules, which have been identified as a typical product of EAF manufacturing process, are suggested to be a suitable proxy for associated toxic organic components, e.g. dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). A new expeditious, easy and inexpensive environmental monitoring to detect and characterize past and present pollution is here proposed.