NIOSH Mining Laboratory

Researcher monitors instrumentation for analyzing toxic fumes produced by a blasting agent detonated in the chamber

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To accommodate fume testing of blasting agents, the underground Toxic Fumes Laboratory was constructed in the PRL Experimental Mine for detonating large, confined charges in a controlled volume. It consists of a portion of mine entry (once used for full scale mine explosion research and demonstrations) enclosed between two explosion proof bulkheads. Total volume of the chamber is 9,666 ft3 (274 m3). The chamber is equipped with an air circulating system and is vented using the mine's airflow. Up to 10 pound (4.5 kg) charges can be detonated in the chamber using a variety of confinements. Twenty-four 2-inch thick steel plates are suspended around the explosive charge to stop shrapnel that would otherwise seriously damage the chamber. Fumes from the explosive are confined in the chamber and samples are taken for lab analysis.

Site:  Pittsburgh Research Laboratory

Facility:  Safety Research and Experimental Coal Mines