Comparison of personal diesel and biodiesel exhaust exposures in an underground mine

Eric A Lutz, Rustin J. Reed, Vivien S.T. Lee, Jefferey L. Burgess

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to compare personal exposures to diesel fuel and a biodiesel blend exhaust in an underground mine. Personal exposure monitoring was performed in a non-operational, hard rock underground mine during use of a load-haul-dump vehicle. Eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA8) exposure concentrations of ultra-low sulfur diesel and 75% biodiesel/25% diesel blend (B75) fuels were compared. Compared to diesel, use of B75 was associated with relative percent reductions of 22 and 28% in median respirable (r) diesel particulate matter (DPM) and nitrogen dioxide and 25 and 23% increases in median total DPM and nitric oxide TWA8 exposure concentrations, respectively. Diesel was associated with a slightly greater total geometric mean mass concentration and lower mean surface area concentration. Although further testing is needed, B75 has the potential to reduce rDPM exposures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)D102-D109
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental hygiene
Volume14
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 3 2017

Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • diesel
  • fuel exhaust
  • underground mine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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