At-Site Direct-on-Filter End-of-Shift Portable FT-IR and Fast Respirable Crystalline Silica Quantification

Introduction

Crushing, drilling, grinding, masonry, concrete work, sandblasting, and mining of silica containing rocks, soil, and sand results in the generation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust - a class 1 human carcinogen. Several studies indicate the correlation between occupational exposure to RCS dust and health effects including silicosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exposure control for RCS begins with sampling the breathing zone of workers throughout their workday.

This application note describes a non-destructive analytical method to quantify respirable crystalline silica (RCS) deposited on sampling filters, at the end of a shift (EoS), at site where sample collection has occurred.