Alternative Fuel Use to Reduce Diesel Emissions Exposure and Toxicity in Mining

Details

• Personal Author:
  Burgess JL
• Description:
  In collaboration with Freeport-McMoRan, we evaluated the tail-pipe emissions of a 793B Caterpillar haul truck using diesel (D) and renewable diesel (RD) fuels at the Tyrone surface metal mine. Emissions were monitored using a portable emissions monitoring system for six hours a day while the truck performed a typical, controlled cycle using D for three days, and RD for three days. With use of the RD fuel, the emissions (g/kWh) of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were statistically significantly (p<0.05) greater (108% unladen, 107% laden), compared to D. Emissions (g/kWh) of carbon dioxide (CO2) were also significantly increased (13.7% laden only) with RD use. At the University of Arizona's San Xavier (SX) mine, we evaluated the health effects and personal exposures of 22 student subjects. Baseline biological monitoring was conducted immediately preceding subjects' exposure sessions in the mine, which included: exhaled nitric oxide (NO), exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), exhaled breath condensate (EBC), urine collection, and blood draw. Each exposure session lasted 90 minutes and was conducted at the recently developed heading of an unventilated decline, approximately 100 meters from the portal. Subjects observed and operated a (2018) Caterpillar (289D) Skid Steer with 73 HP, C3.3B DIT engine while personal diesel particulate matter (DPM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposures were measured, as well as area diesel particulate matter (DPM), NO2 and NO concentrations. Collectively, the average D to RD change for personal DPM and NO2 exposure concentrations were -30% and -13%, respectively. With use of D, subjects experienced a decrease of 13% in exhaled CO, but a 10% increase with RD. Use of D was associated with a 3.1% increase in NO, while subjects saw an increase of 6.7% after exposure to RD. Finally, we evaluated in-cabin exposures while operating the 2005 Wagner LHD from and in a manner similar to previous studies. Use of RD was associated with a 5.6% (886 µg/m3 to 836 µg/m3) reduction in respirable DPM, on average. The average NO concentrations were reduced by 23.9% with use of RD (4.68 ppm to 3.56 ppm), and the average NO2 concentrations were reduced by 59.9% (4.51 ppm to 1.81 ppm). [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Fuel Oils Mining Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety Vehicle Emissions Ventilation
• Keywords:
  Biological Monitoring Diesel Emissions Fuels Mining Equipment Mining Industry Motor Vehicles Particulates Underground Mines
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  Arizona ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-13
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069886
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R01-OH-011410, 2024 Jun; :1-13
• Contact Point Address:
  Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Avenue, Room A317C, Tucson, AZ 85724
• Email:
  jburgess@email.arizona.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• NORA Priority Area:
  Mining
• Performing Organization:
  University of Arizona
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20180901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20210831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c5a14d3d26c315e83b9f59471344b7cef13c3f999301426dbb3271bcd20211c84955091aa512d23e7bfa3273fee16468c16aca635bd550de52fceac13100bf96
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/219263/cdc_219263_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 264.67 KB ]