PURPOSE:  Reduce diesel exhaust gas and particulate matter levels in underground mines by providing scientific and technical data on the effects of available and novel control technologies measured by both established and experimental methods.

RESEARCH SUMMARY:  Approximately 30,000 underground miners have been found to be exposed to diesel particulate matter (DPM) at levels as high as 500 µg/m3. Promulgation of regulations by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), limiting exposure of coal, metal, and nonmetal underground miners to DPM, is resulting in a rapid implementation of various novel technologies for control of DPM and gaseous emissions. Many of these emission control technologies have been evaluated under highly controlled laboratory conditions that are not representative of real-use conditions. The effectiveness of these technologies in the mine environment has a direct consequence on the success of the rule to control miner exposures to DPM.

Recognizing this situation, NIOSH has responded by conducting in-mine evaluations of many of these control technologies and by developing a unique research facility to supply this critical knowledge. A research lab has been established at the NIOSH Lake Lynn Laboratory which employs a mobile engine dynamometer. It is operated under tightly controlled conditions, yet the exhaust is released into the prevailing ventilation as is the case in mining, resulting in obtaining near-laboratory-quality data under operating conditions.

Several major controlled in mine evaluations of various control technologies have been evaluated and the information disseminated to the industry. Currently, at the Lake Lynn Lab, tests are being conducted to determine the effects on DPM concentrations by a control technology that uses water to cool the exhaust and follows that with a disposable pleated element filter, as is the practice in coal mines. The testing of other more novel emission control technologies will follow. As it matures, this program will amend itself to find answers to real-world concerns regarding miner health and emission control.

The plan is to publish and present Lake Lynn Laboratory work and production mine study results in peer-reviewed journals, at conferences, at mining community meetings, and at workshops organized through the NIOSH partnerships with both coal and the metal/nonmetal mining industry.