Particle number, mass, and surface area concentrations inside an underground metalliferous mine in Kazakhstan

Considerable scientific evidence shows that inhalation of diesel exhaust particles is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. This study examined the concentrations of diesel particles in five stations of the operational phases of an underground mine in Kazakhstan. Real-time monitoring of particulate number concentration (PNC), lung deposited surface area (LDSA) concentrations, PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations in the mining operational area, and the breathing zone of the loader driver inside the loader cabin was conducted. The results showed that the highest average PNC and LDSA concentrations were 7 × 10⁵ cm⁻³ and 4 × 10³ μm² cm⁻³, respectively, and most of the particles were in the sub-100 nm range. The concentrations level in the loader cabin area (LA), and operational area (OA) of mine was similar with respect to PM₁ and PM_2.5 as a result of the homogenous distribution of the PM inside the mine's operational phase. The major source of the PM₁ and PM_2.5 was the diesel engine, while the low LA/OA ratio for PM₁₀ in this study suggested the source of the coarse particles was dust resuspension around the loader cabin.