NIOSH Develops System to Control Silica Exposures at Mine Sites

A partnership between NIOSH and Benetech Inc. has produced the Dustinator, a dust collection system designed to be retrofitted onto bins, tanks, and conveyor systems at mining sites where workers may be exposed to dust containing respirable crystalline silica. Active and passive dust control systems can reduce RCS exposures, but “many current material handling systems do not incorporate dust controls,” the publication (PDF) states. 

NIOSH developed the Dustinator as an active dust filtering subsystem that would work with modified versions of Benetech’s existing passive dust control and spray dust suppression subsystems. The agency tested the subsystems in its laboratory and installed them at an aggregate production site near Spokane, Washington. Air samples were taken before and after the system’s installation to measure its effectiveness at controlling dust produced by a pair of rock crushers and conveyor belts transporting crushed rock. Testing showed that the hybrid system reduced respirable airborne dust concentrations by 93 percent.  

“This research shows the potential for significant dust reduction by retrofitting material handling systems with a hybrid dust control system,” NIOSH states. “Stakeholders who desire to control respirable dust emissions should consider applying such retrofits to their material handling systems.” 

NIOSH’s publication provides specifications about the Dustinator and accompanying passive and suppression systems. The document can be accessed from the agency’s website.