DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION/ SiMn slag (Silicomanganese slag)/ OECD 110/GLP

Particle Size Distribution. Particle size data have been acquired using a procedure designed to comply with the European Commission technical guidance document Particle Size Distribution, Fibre Length and Diameter Distribution' (June 1996), which satisfies the requirements of OECD Guideline 110. On visual assessment, the test material was observed to be composed of a broad particle size range from approximately gravel sized pieces through to very fine dust. To represent a worst-case scenario for potential inhalation risk, the test material was sampled from the base of the container, where the finer fractions had settled, and the very largest particles were then removed from this subsample as not to skew the analytical results.

From this subsample, the percentage of test material with a particle size less than 100 µm was determined to be 3.5% by sieve analysis. This indicated that the test material was of a particle size that was essentially non-inhalable. It must be noted that this value may significantly overestimate the true fine particle fraction of the test material due to the sampling procedure, and also since the test material was observed to be physically brittle. Therefore, the fine particle size fraction may have been artificially increased by attrition of the sample during transportation to the test facility and also mechanical forces during the sieving procedure.

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