Abstract
Advancements in portable analytical technologies are transforming how occupational exposure risks are assessed including enabling near real-time decision-making to protect worker health. This research leverages such technology to address the urgent need for rapid exposure risk assessment of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a known carcinogen linked to silicosis, COPD, and lung cancer. Traditional RCS monitoring relies on off-site laboratory analysis, often resulting in delays of up to six weeks, limiting timely interventions and exposing workers to ongoing risk.
To overcome this, a novel in-field calibration method was developed using a portable dust generation system, the RotaDust®, which is designed to simulate workplace dust conditions and calibrate portable RCS instruments. The system enables consistent generation of respirable dust clouds from any type of ore materials, facilitating accurate on-site RCS quantification. A validated calibration curve (R² = 0.9888) was established using the Australian quartz reference standard (A9950) and applied across six quarry sites with varying mineralogy.
The study also addressed the challenge of interference minerals such as kaolinite that can distort FTIR readings. Field validation demonstrated that FTIR results using the RotaDust®-generated calibration curves that closely matched those from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis by an independent laboratory. The system’s portability, reliability, and ease of use make it a powerful tool for occupational hygienists and site managers.
By integrating RotaDust® with portable FTIR, operations can proactively assess exposure risks and implement control measures before workers are exposed. This approach exemplifies how technology can be leveraged to enhance workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and health outcomes in industries with high RCS exposure potential.
