Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure to Railroad Train Crews

Details

• Personal Author:
  Grogan JL ; Liukonen LR ; Myers W
• Description:
  Exposure assessments were conducted aboard diesel locomotives. Results were evaluated to determine variables that affect exposure to DPM (diesel particulate matter) and to assess use of EC (elemental carbon) and OC (organic carbon) as surrogates for DPM. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 5040 was used for collection and analysis of samples in locomotives and in nonrailroad settings. The level of EC, but not OC, in locomotives was found to be significantly affected by position of exhaust stacks and windows. EC ranged from <1 to 45 ug/m3 with a geometric mean (GM) of 3.7 ug/m3 and OC ranged from 4 to 4570 ug/m3 with a GM of 36.3 ug/m3. Background measurements of EC ranged from <1 to 8 ug/m3 and OC levels were 4 to 84 ug/m3. This study confirms that train crew exposure to DPM is much lower than exposures for miners, is comparable to background urban exposures, and is lower than but comparable to exposures for truck drivers. It also indicates that EC levels are highly predictive of diesel exhaust exposure whereas OC levels are not, and that open windows and exhaust stack(s) in front of the locomotive cab have a significant effect on EC. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Particulate Matter Railroads Safety Transportation
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Diesel Exhaust Diesel Exhaust Elemental Carbon Exhaust Systems Exposure Assessment Organic Carbon Particulates Railroad Railroad Industry Transportation Workers
• ISSN:
  0002-8894
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Nebraska ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; OSHA Region 7 ; Texas ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  63
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057485
• Citation:
  Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 2002 Sep/Oct; 63(5):610-616
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon (CAS RN 7440-44-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2002
• NORA Priority Area:
  Research Tools and Approaches: Exposure Assessment Methods
• Performing Organization:
  West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19940701
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
• End Date:
  20050630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b942aa29c4560dfbd3f443027a08edd5428d0c2bf6a3aeac090bf5d378dc5b04bd376b1cea7f1b487c9744b8cc0432401779f168daf93749430fdf39d7544870
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214824/cdc_214824_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 351.38 KB ]