Air Sampling Programs Determine Sources of Mists and Asbestos Dust

Read the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) report about the sources of mists and dusts. In addition to these dangerous elements, miners are routinely exposed to carcinogens such as asbestos.

There are two common types of mists encountered in the mining industry: oil mists and liquid reagent mists. Oil mists are produced during such operations as equipment maintenance or cutting and grinding.

Liquid reagent mists may be formed during such operations as mixing, spraying and pouring. Cyanide heap leaching, for example, requires spraying the liquid cyanide solution over the ore, and solvent degreasing may involve scrubbing a part with the liquid degreaser.

The sources of elemental dust in the mining industry are the same as those for mineral dusts in general. Certain elemental dusts, however, are associated with specific ores.

Vanadium and uranium, for example, are elements commonly found in uranium mine dust; arsenic may be encountered in salt mine dust; antimony is found associated with lead and arsenic, as well as copper and silver.

Courtesy of http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/OPRSAMP/OPRSAMP.HTM

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