The Effects of Ventilation Controls and Environmental Cabs on Diesel Particulate Matter Concentrations in Some Limestone Mines James D. Noll, Larry Patts, Roy Grau CDC NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Center

Underground Metal/nonmetal mines are implementing different types of control technologies to apply with the final PEL 160 μ g/m 3 TC TC (5040)* EC(5040)* x (TC(5040) – blank)/EC2(5040) a * - personal sample a – area sample EC(5040)* > 160

< 160 μ g/m 3 TC from DPM Ventilation Maintenance Newer Engines Enclosed Cabs DPFs Alternative fuels Administrative controls Goal

Area samples were taken in two underground stone mines and ventilation was measured Working area or face intake return

Two propeller fans were used to provide the main mine air Auxilary fans were used to direct the air to the face Ventilation

Mine A 660,000 cfm total 114,000 cfm 129,000 cfm 326,000

Mine B 554,000 cfm total 316,000 cfm 209,000 cfm

5040 Results

Mine A

Mine B

The ventilation packages used in these two mines did not reduce the DPM concentration below the final limit but reduced the DPM significantly to could allow for a variety of other controls to be used to reach the final PEL.

Measured DPM concentration inside and outside of two cabs (older and newer unit).

5040 results

93% efficiency73% efficiency 87 % efficiency 41 % efficiency

Cab were over 90% efficient when the doors and windows were shut.

Not all miners can be in enclosed cabs. Other types of controls (alternative fuels, dpfs, maintenance, newer engines, ventilations, etc.) Administrative controls e.g. limiting time of some miners in high concentrations of DPM

Questions????