Recent health, safety and environmental regulations are causing an increased demand for monitoring of aerosols in the
mining industry. Of particular concern are airborne concentrations of combustible and toxic rock dusts as well as
particulate matter generated from diesel engines in underground mines. In response, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been evaluating a number of real time sensing technologies for potential
use in underground mines. In particular, extensive evaluation has been done on filter-based light extinction using
elemental carbon (EC) as a surrogate measurement of total diesel particulate matter (DPM) mass concentration as well as
mechanical tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) technology for measurement of both DPM and rock dust
mass concentrations. Although these technologies are promising in their ability to accurately measure mine aerosols for
their respective applications, there are opportunities for design improvements or alternative technologies that may
significantly enhance the monitoring of mine aerosols. Such alterations can lead to increases in sensitivity or a reduction
in the size and cost of these devices. This paper provides a brief overview of current practices and presents results of
NIOSH research in this area. It concludes with a short discussion of future directions in mine aerosol sensing research.
Underground miners are exposed to some of the highest levels of diesel particulate matter (DPM) in the United
States. Therefore, it is important to monitor the exposure of miners to DPM, but it can be difficult because of the
complex composition of DPM and the number of interferences. Currently, elemental carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate
because it makes up a significant fraction of the DPM and is not affected by interferences. Standard measurement
methods for EC can be time consuming and only record end of shift results. In this research, a laser absorption
technique that enables one to measure EC concentration in near real time was shown to be a beneficial tool. The real
time data showed that the fresh air being drawn into a stone mine was not properly reaching the working area and needed
to be redirected to decrease DPM concentrations. The real time data also provided a more accurate efficiency of an
environmental cab compared to just using the standard method by detecting the opening of the cab's window and door.
The EC optical monitor was also worn by researchers in a mine to show how it can give not only the average
concentration for the shift but also reveal when and where a miner is exposed to DPM.
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