ISHS Acta Horticulturae 351: III International Congress on Hazelnut
DUST CONTROL IN HAZELNUT HARVESTING WITH VACUUM HARVESTERS |
| Authors: | P. Biondi, D. Monarca, G. Zoppello |
| Abstract:
Hazelnut harvesting operations are executed in Italy with the help of specific machines (vacuum harvesters, chiefly pulled, but also selfpropelled). In this paper the problem of dust raised by these machines during harvesting is examined. Experimental tests show (for vacuum harvester with cyclones) an average value of about 120 mg/m3 (± 80 mg/m3), a respirable fraction of about 60 mg/m3 (± 20 mg/m3), 4% of which is silica. Endosulfan determinations in the dust show their persistence also three months after the treatments. The test values are higher than the legal limits and indicate that cyclones have little effect on the respirable fraction. Furthermore, the samplings show that the concentration of dust raised by vacuum harvesters has about the same value on both natural grassland and tilled soil. | |
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