Mining Publication: Real-time Diesel Particulate Monitor for Underground Mines
Original creation date: June 2013
The standard method for determining diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposures in underground metal/nonmetal mines provides the average exposure concentration for an entire working shift, and several weeks might pass before results are obtained. The main problem with this approach is that it only indicates that an overexposure has occurred rather than providing the ability to prevent an overexposure or detect its cause. Conversely, real-time measurement would provide miners with timely information to allow engineering controls to be deployed immediately and to identify the major factors contributing to any overexposures. Toward this purpose, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a laser extinction method to measure real-time elemental carbon (EC) concentrations (EC is a DPM surrogate). To employ this method, NIOSH developed a person-wearable instrument that was commercialized in 2011. This paper evaluates this commercial instrument, including the calibration curve, limit of detection, accuracy, and potential interferences. The instrument was found to meet the NIOSH accuracy criteria and to be capable of measuring DPM concentrations at levels observed in underground mines. In addition, it was found that a submicron size selector was necessary to avoid interference from mine dust and that cigarette smoke can be an interference when sampling in enclosed cabs.
Authors: JD Noll, S Janisko, SE Mischler
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - June 2013
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20042804
Anal Methods 2013 Jun; 5(12):2954-2963
See Also
- AQE - Air Quantity Estimator - 1.0.3
- A Computer Software Program that Estimates Air Quantity Requirements in Large Opening Stone Mines
- DEEP Project on Evaluation of Diesel Particulate Filters at Inco's Stobie Mine
- Diesel Exhaust Aerosol, Review of Measurement Technology
- Effects of Diesel Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices on Concentrations and Size Distribution of Aerosols in Underground Mine Air
- Evaluation of a Wearable Monitor for Measuring Real-time Diesel Particulate Matter Concentrations in Several Underground Mines
- Exposure Monitoring of Dust and Toxic Substances
- Instrumentation for Diesel Particulate Matter Emissions Research
- Real-Time DPM Ambient Monitoring in Underground Mines
- Technology News 514 - The Air Quantity Estimator (AQE): A New Computer Software Tool for Large-opening Mine Ventilation Planning
- Underground Mine Diesel Particulate Monitor Network
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program