Measurement of fine and ultrafine dusts exposure in an iron foundry in South Australia

Abstract

Exposure to airborne contaminants in foundries is associated with cardiorespiratory diseases. However, the ultrafine dust component has been poorly characterised. In this study, fine and ultrafine airborne particle concentrations in a large ferrous foundry were measured over a period of four days using the following instruments: P-Trak̄; Dust-Trak™; and HandiLaz . Contour mapping and some personal sampling was also used. The highest five-minuted average ultrafine concentration was recorded in the core shop (geometric mean = 2.11 × 105 particulates per cubic centimetre), with lower values recorded in the pouring line, shakeout and fettling areas. Similar trends were seen for particulate matter2.5, with highest values again in the core shop (geometric mean = 0.3 mg/m 3). The highest respirable quartz concentration was found in the shakeout area (0.1 mg/m3). These results are generally consistent with the literature and suggest that contour mapping for ultrafine particles is an appropriate strategy for more specific evaluation of sources and dust control systems.