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Towards a Field-Portable Real-Time Organic and Elemental Carbon Monitor

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Abstract

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) has been classified as a carcinogen to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. As a result of its potential carcinogenic nature, DPM exposure is regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Currently, diesel emissions in the workplace are monitored by collecting the aerosol onto filters, which are then sent to a laboratory for thermal-optical analysis using the NIOSH method 5040. This process can take days or even weeks, and workers can potentially be exposed to excessive levels of DPM before the problem is identified. Moreover, the delay involved in getting the loaded filter to the lab inevitably means the loss of some of the more volatile organic carbon. To remedy this delay, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are seeking to develop a field-portable, real-time method for measuring elemental and organic carbons in DPM aerosols. In the current study, the use of mid-infrared spectrometry was investigated. It is believed that mid-infrared spectroscopy is more suitable for use in a real-time field-portable device than thermo-optical analysis methods. This article presents a method for measuring organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in DPM for a broad range of OC/EC ratios. The method has been successfully applied to laboratory-generated and mine samples.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Nilo Tayag for the analysis of samples. Additionally, we would like to extend our gratitude to Ken Strunk for providing graphics.

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Correspondence to D. A. Parks.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.

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Parks, D.A., Raj, K.V., Berry, C.A. et al. Towards a Field-Portable Real-Time Organic and Elemental Carbon Monitor. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 36, 765–772 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-0064-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-0064-8

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