An overview of the MSHA industrial hygiene laboratory

摘要

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is responsible for monitoring exposures to airborne contaminants in the mining industry. Samples requiring laboratory analysis are sent to the Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Laboratory for processing. This laboratory is one of two U.S. Department of Labor accredited industrial hygiene laboratories. Automated robotic systems are used to weigh both coal and metal and nonmetal mine dust samples. Coal mine dust samples are analyzed for quartz by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Metal and nonmetal mine (MNM) dust samples are analyzed for quartz by x-ray diffraction. Metal dusts and fumes are analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICPAES). Diesel particulate samples are analyzed for carbon content. Gasses and organic vapors are analyzed by gas chromatography. Fiber samples are analyzed by Phase Contrast Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. This paper reviews the general sampling and analytical procedures, discusses the specific laboratory techniques used for analysis, and explains the application of the sample results.