Thomas D. Raether

Dust Control with Clean Air from an Overhead Air Supply Island (OASIS)

Abstract The objective of this work was to test the dust control effectiveness of an Overhead Air Supplied Island (OASIS). This device provides an envelope of clean air for dust protection for individual work stations in environments where other engineering controls are not practical or available. A fan powered filtration unit and a unique air distribution system provide 6000 cubic feet per minute of clean air over the operator. RAM-1 light scattering dust monitors were used to measure dust concentrations as the unit was turned on and off at a bagging machine operators work station at two industrial silica plants. Dust concentration reductions at the operators breathing zone were 98 and 82 percent, and dust concentrations never exceeded 0.06 mg/m3 during operation of the OASIS. The OASIS has potential applications in many industrial areas where dust exposures are excessive. It is a simple, self-contained unit which can reduce worker exposure to dust at a work station. In addition to the health benefits ...