1. Classroom Foundry Combustion By-Products Aerosol Exposure
K. R. Sibert, S. L. Lam, & D. J. H Vosburgh
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health
Background
Conclusions
Along with heat, the burning of every combustible material or product produces smoke – gases and aerosols that, in sufficiently high concentration, presents hazards to people in the vicinity (Gann and Bryner, 2003). Combustion byproducts are gases and small particles created by the incomplete burning of fuels and may include particulate matter. Inhaled particulate matter can be deposited throughout the respiratory tract which is why inhalation is of prime importance when considering aerosol measurement (ACGIH, 2009). Fine and ultrafine particles can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and serious lung disease, including cancer and other health impacts (CAR, 2017). The classroom foundry is a multiprocess room with spaces used for teaching, welding, foundry, flushing, and sawing. Compared to a commercial foundry hazards are different than a classroom. However, due to the local exhaust ventilation design, it may be just as hazardous if enough combustion byproducts are emitted into the air and individuals are breathing them in.
The current local exhaust ventilation system is not collecting the combustion by-products.
Opening the door changed the results largely with locations C and D
Location A results with the door open are similar to the results with the door closed
Location B concentrations with the door open were greater than with the door closed. This may be due to the fact the wind from the open doors were keeping the aerosols inside the building.
Background measurements show the particle size distribution and concentration under usual room conditions
Results
Door Closed
Recommendations
Keep the doors open when the foundry furnace is running
Look into improving the existing local exhaust ventilation system to capture additional combustion byproduct aerosols that are not being caught from the system in place
Collect additional data when the furnace is melting metal
Objective
Determine if nanosized combustion byproduct aerosols are released into the room when the foundry furnace and local exhaust ventilation is being used.
References
As the furnace ran longer, each location shows increases in the concentration of particles. As the concentration grew, particles coagulated together creating larger particle diameters. Locations A and B were shown to have the most particles.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (2009). Workplace Aerosol Measurement. Retrieved from
Bryner, N., & Gann, R. (2003) Combustion Products and Their Effects on Life Safety. Retrieved from
California Air Resources Board. (2017) Combustion Pollutants. Retrieved from
Methods
Aerosol combustion byproducts were measured:
Nanoscan (3910, TSI Inc., Shoreview, MN)
The nanoscan measured aerosol concentration by size for partles less than 500 nm
4 locations in the room (A, B, C, D)
Two staged tests of 30 minutes each
Test One: Doors closed
4 rotations
Test Two: Outside doors open
Wind was randomly blowing into the room
Door Open
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank Teresa M. Lind and Erica A. Meyer for their assistance setting aside time within the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s Art Department for our data collection.
As the furnace ran longer, locations A and B were shown to have increases in the concentration of particles. In locations C and D the amount of particles decreased as the furnace ran. Location D had the lowest concentration of particles.
Foundry furnace with local exhaust ventilation system overhead
Location C Results