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Statistical comparison of diesel particulate matter measurement methods
Gurumurthy Ramachandran1, Winthrop F Watts
1Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 807, 420 Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. ramac002@umn.edu
Summary
Comparing four diesel particulate matter (DPM) measurement methods in mines, elemental carbon (EC) analysis proved most accurate. Other methods like respirable combustible dust sampling (RCD) and size selective sampling with gravimetric analysis (SSG) showed significant interference.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Environmental Monitoring
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a significant occupational hazard in underground mining environments.
- Accurate quantification of DPM is crucial for assessing worker exposure and implementing effective control measures.
- Existing methods for DPM measurement vary in their precision, selectivity, and sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To statistically compare four distinct methods for quantifying diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground mine settings.
- To evaluate the precision, selectivity, sensitivity, and limit of detection (LOD) of each DPM quantification method.
- To identify the limitations of each method in measuring DPM concentrations under various mining conditions.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis approach was employed, pooling data from three separate underground mine studies.
- Four DPM quantification methods were assessed: respirable combustible dust sampling (RCD), size selective sampling with gravimetric analysis (SSG), respirable dust sampling with elemental carbon (EC) analysis, and respirable dust sampling with total carbon (TC) analysis.
- Samples were collected in triplicate at upwind, downwind, and on-scoop locations for each method.
Main Results:
- The elemental carbon (EC) method was identified as the reference 'gold standard' due to its superior performance.
- The size selective sampling with gravimetric analysis (SSG) method exhibited the highest weighing imprecision and substantial interference from non-diesel particulate matter.
- Respirable combustible dust sampling (RCD) and total carbon (TC) analysis methods also showed significant interference, limiting their ability to measure lower DPM concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Elemental carbon (EC) analysis is the most reliable method for quantifying diesel particulate matter in mine environments.
- Respirable combustible dust sampling (RCD), size selective sampling with gravimetric analysis (SSG), and total carbon (TC) analysis methods are prone to interference, affecting their accuracy.
- The findings provide a comprehensive comparison of DPM measurement techniques across diverse mining conditions and DPM concentration ranges.