Real-Time Monitoring of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper and Lead Concentrations in Workplace Smelter Particulates Using a TSI 8520 DustTrak

Details

• Personal Author:
  Larson RR ; McDonald JP ; Pahler LF ; Thiese MS
• Description:
  Exposure to particulates containing metals and metal fumes (PCMMF) is a potential concern in ore refining and smelting. Some metals of primary interest are arsenic, cadmium, copper and lead, which have been linked to various adverse health effects. The current National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sampling method for metals in particulates requires the use of a filter, precision airflow pump and laboratory analysis. A major concern with this method is the one-to-two weeks' wait before laboratory results are available for use in determining if additional controls are needed to assure adequate exposure protection for workers. Particulates containing these metals were sampled during sixteen sampling events at a copper smelter using the traditional NIOSH methods. Monitoring of particulates was simultaneously conducted using a TSI 8520 DustTrak real-time aerosol monitor with a 10-um-cutpoint sampling inlet. NIOSH analytical methods related to particulates and metals (methods 0500, 0600 and 7300) were used to determine particulate mass and individual mass contributions of metals on sample filters. Linear regressions with y-intercepts forced to zero were developed to determine the relationship between the PM10 measurements recorded by the DustTrak and laboratory-reported total particulate mass, PM10 and respirable arsenic, cadmium, copper and lead concentrations. These linear regressions yielded correction factors that can be applied to DustTrak readings to obtain total particulate mass, PM10 and respirable concentration estimates for each of the four metals. The R2 (coefficient of determination) values from the linear regressions ranged from 0.65 for total lead to 0.91 for total copper. These results suggest that the DustTrak may produce real-time data useful in providing estimates for airborne concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper and lead in copper smelter particulates. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Arsenic Cadmium Copper Dust Environmental Monitoring Inorganic Chemicals Lead Metals Metal Workers Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety

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• Keywords:
  Air Sampling Techniques Author Keywords: Lead Health And Safety Metal Dusts Metal Refining Particulate Control Particulates Respirable Dust Smelting
• ISSN:
  2524-3462
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 8 ; Utah
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  13-20
• Volume:
  28
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056054
• Citation:
  Min Metall Explor 2011 Feb; 28(1):13-20
• CAS Registry Number:
  Arsenic (CAS RN 7440-38-2) ; Cadmium (CAS RN 7440-43-9) ; Copper (CAS RN 7440-50-8) ; Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Performing Organization:
  University of Utah
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:63f90abdc09872fe0c89976437740d880269eaec80e98c71bf10dc143a263d3366102bef560d47338eaa108dff06d5829c16ea842d8508f87899c4bdc7f5d868
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/213751/cdc_213751_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 174.28 KB ]