scope:

Abstract:

Foundries seek to monitor and limit worker exposure to silica dust, but there are no available sampling instruments that measure respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure in real time. Better sampling methods and better understanding of the sources of exposure will help foundries protect workers through refining Work Practices and improving Engineering Controls.

However, instruments that measure exposure to respirable particulate matter (RPM) are available. Aware that these instruments are being employed in industry (including foundries) and cognizant of the fact that their performance in this application has not yet been documented in foundries, the Health and Safety Committee of the American Foundry Society (AFS) decided to sponsor an exposure sampling demonstration research project in foundries. The research project would employ the use of commercially-available, personal, real-time RPM measuring instruments during normal production. The TRC Environmental Corp. was contracted under AFS Research Project 16-17#05 by the AFS Research Board to undertake the project of conducting a combined total of ten sampling events in four foundries. The research work, begun in the spring of 2017, has now been completed and its findings are reported here