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Surface mining operations use large off-road haul trucks extensively to move material at mining properties. Past research, using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emissions factors for unpaved haul roads, has shown that haul trucks generate the majority of dust emissions from surface mining sites, accounting for approximately 78%-97% of total dust emissions. Observations of dust emissions from haul trucks show that if the dust emissions are uncontrolled, they can be a safety hazard by impairing the operator’s visibility. This increases the probability for haul truck accidents. However, the greatest long-term health hazard of dust generated from hauling operations is due to inhalation of the respirable dust [median diameter <4 micrometers (µm)] and thoracic dust, which is equivalent to the EPA’s definition of PM10 [particulate matter with a median diameter <10 µm]. Exposure to respirable dust has long been considered a health hazard at surface mining operations, especially if silica dust is present.
| Author(s): | Reed-WR, Organiscak-JA |
| Reference: | Coal Age 2007 Oct :34–37 |
hrdcf (PDF, 549 KB)
