Multi-Hazard Sensor for Minors.

摘要

NIOSH conducts activities to assure safe and healthful conditions for American workers. The mining industry presents particularly challenging safety and health needs. Miners are continuously exposed to methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, diesel fumes and particulate matter including coal dust. At low concentrations, chronic exposure to these airborne hazards can cause miner health problems, but at high concentrations the hazards are immediately life threatening due to their toxicity and potential for explosion. Thus, there is a need for technology able to measure the exposure of miners to these hazards as well as to warn miners of immediately dangerous conditions within or prior to entering potentially hazardous areas. This Research and Development project will lead to the development of a novel technology platform enabling laser-based sensor products to detect and measure these hazards from a distance. The sensors will warn miners prior to entry into a potentially explosive or toxic atmosphere, as well as monitor for hazards in physically inaccessible areas, simplifying mining operations and enhancing productivity. Currently, miners use cumbersome techniques that require sampling and analyzing mine air to sense these hazards.