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Mining Publication: Crystalline Silica Analysis: A Comparison of Calibration Materials and Recent Coal Mine Dust Size Distributions
Keywords: Data analysis Infrared analysis Particle size distribution Silica dust
Original creation date: January 2006
Authors: SJ Page
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - January 2006
Download PDF Document (0.07 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030427
J ASTM Int 2006 Jan 3(1):1-14
Since 1982, standard calibration materials recommended for respirable crystalline silica analysis by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) P7 Infrared Method and the NIOSH X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Analytical Method 7500 have undergone minor changes in size distribution. However, a critical assumption has been made that the crystalline silica in ambient mine atmosphere respirable dust samples has also remained essentially unchanged in particle size distribution. The objective of this work, therefore, is to compare recent particle size distributions of underground coal mine dust and the silica component of these dusts with estimated aerodynamic particle size distributions of calibration standard materials MIN-U-SIL 5, Berkeley 5, and SRM 1878 used by two crystalline silica analysis techniques. This work provides resolution to a previously reported discrepancy involving the proper sample dilution for the particle sizing method used. Dust impactor sampling data for various locations in 13 underground coal mines were collected between 1991 and 1998 and analyzed for the respirable mass median aerodynamic diameters. The data suggest that the MSHA P7 Method will underestimate the silica content of the sample by at most 8.5% in the median size range of 0.9-3.6 micrometers and that it is unlikely one would obtain any significant error in the MSHA P7 Method analysis when the method uses Berkeley 5, MIN-U-SIL 5, or SRM 1878 as a calibration standard material. The results suggest that the NIOSH Analytical Method 7500 would be more appropriate for a dust sample that is representative of the total (no cyclone classifier) rather than the respirable airborne dust, particularly since the mass fraction in the size range below 4 micrometers is usually a small percentage of the total airborne dust mass. However, the NIOSH Analytical Method 7500 is likely to underestimate the silica content of an airborne respirable dust sample by only 5%-10%. The results of this study also suggest that any changes that may have occurred in the median respirable size of airborne coal mine dust are not significant enough to cause any appreciable error in the current methods used for respirable crystalline silica analysis.
Image of publication Crystalline Silica Analysis: A Comparison of Calibration Materials and Recent Coal Mine Dust Size DistributionsPeer Reviewed Journal Article - January 2006
Download PDF Document (0.07 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030427
J ASTM Int 2006 Jan 3(1):1-14
See Also
Analysis of Multiple Seam Stability
Characterizing Particle Size Distributions of Crystalline Silica in Gold Mine Dust
Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES): Software Manual and Implementation Guide
Evaluating Portable Infrared Spectrometers for Measuring the Silica Content of Coal Dust
Investigation into Dust Exposures and Mining Practices in Mines in the Southern Appalachian Region
Promoting Early Exposure Monitoring for Respirable Crystalline Silica: Taking the Laboratory to the Mine Site
Respirable Crystalline Silica Characteristics and Sources in U.S. Underground Coal Mines
A Review of Occupational Silica Exposures on Continuous Mining Operations
Task Analysis
Technology News 536 - NIOSH Develops New Software to Analyze and Reduce Noise Exposure
Page last reviewed: June 7, 2016
Page last updated: June 7, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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