Comparison of Several DPM Field Monitors for Use in Underground Mining Applications

Details

• Personal Author:
  Barrett C ; Cauda, Emanuele G. ; Noll J ; Sarver E ; Vanderslice S ; Volkwein, Jon C.
• Description:
  To improve worker health protection and support engineering applications in underground mines, such as ventilation-on-demand, capabilities are increasingly sought for continuous monitoring of diesel particulate matter (DPM). For near realtime monitoring over periods up to a full workshift, the FLIR Airtec handheld monitor was developed and calibrated to the NIOSH Standard Method 5040 measure of elemental carbon (EC), which is commonly used as an analytical surrogate for DPM. However, needs still exist for autonomous monitoring over longer periods (e.g., weeks to months). To meet those needs, two commercially available instruments are considered here, the Magee Scientific AE33 Aethalometer and the Sunset Laboratory Semi-continuous OC-EC Field Analyzer. Along with a prototyped monitor called the Airwatch, these were tested head-to-head against the Method 5040 EC and the Airtec in a controlled laboratory setting; and against one another in a field study at an underground mine. Key findings include: the OC-EC field analyzer performed well across a wide range of EC concentrations; the AE33 performed well at relatively low concentrations, but modifications or additional data corrections are likely needed at higher concentrations; and the Airwatch showed good potential, though significant improvements will be required if this instrument is to be further developed, including resolution of several mechanical issues and selection of an appropriate filter material and development of robust data corrections. Moreover, the relative advantages and disadvantages associated with each instrument (e.g., in terms of data quality, complexity and maintenance) must be considered in the context of the intended application and sampling environment. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Air Pollution Filtration Mining Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety
• Keywords:
  Airborne Particulates Air Quality Monitoring Author Keywords: Diesel Particulate Matter Continuous Monitoring Diesel Exhaust Equipment Testing Mining Engineering Monitors Occupational Health Performance Tests Ultrafine Aerosol Ultrafine Particles Underground Mines

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• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISSN:
  1680-8584
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Contract
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PMRD - Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  19
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057769
• Citation:
  Aerosol Air Qual Res 2019 Nov; 19(11):2367-2380
• Contact Point Address:
  Emily Sarver, Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
• Email:
  esarver@vt.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• NORA Priority Area:
  Mining
• Performing Organization:
  Virginia Tech
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20140901
• Source Full Name:
  Aerosol and Air Quality Research
• End Date:
  20190831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:255fd25d4f13a61625e2c9f444b2f67c83134ca1e8fb4af24e58b2ba9f26a0218702d3cb9305da7433ca20c68c894cd8e9ae1603d31201bbcfbca835c0843fc1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/227929/cdc_227929_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.42 MB ]