Statistical Analysis of the Size and Elemental Composition of Airborne Coal Mine Dust

摘要

The report was part of an ongoing effort at The Pennsylvania State University to investigate the characteristics of airborne mine dusts and its relationship to coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP). The specific purpose of the project was to analyze the size and elemental composition of airborne coal mine dusts and the ramifications of these characteristics. A dust sampling strategy using multi-stage cascade impactors was established for characterization purposes. Analysis of the size distributions of the collected samples was performed based upon the aerodynamic diameter of the dust. Patterns of lognormality and bimodality were found in the data. Elemental analysis was performed by the PIXE method for both major and trace elements. Size dependency and locational variation of the elemental composition of the airborne dust were significant in some cases. Relationships to the mining section activities were also investigated.