The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a health alert on diesel particulate matter. The agency said exhaust from diesel engines contains a mixture of gases and very small particles that can create a health hazard when not properly controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
What is diesel particulate matter (DPM)?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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DPM is a component of diesel exhaust that includes soot particles made up primarily of carbon, ash, metallic abrasion particles, sulfates and silicates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Diesel soot particles consist of elemental carbon andorganic carbon compounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What are the health effects of DPM?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Prolonged DPM exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, respiratory disease and lung cancer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Short term exposure to high concentrations of diesel exhaust can cause headache, dizziness, and irritation of the eye, nose and throat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Engineering controls:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Installing cleaner burning engines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Performing routine preventive maintenance of diesel engines to minimize emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Using special fuels or fuel additives (e.g., biodiesel).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Provide increased ventilation where diesel engines are operated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Providing equipment cabs with filtered air.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Administrative controls:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Restricting the amount of diesel-powered equipment and total engine horsepower operating in a given area and ensure that the number of vehicles operating in an area does not exceed the capacity of the ventilation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Restricting unnecessary idling of engines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
PPE and respirator use should be the \u201clast line of defense\u201d in the hierarchy of controls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n