The danger of diesel particulate has been a monkey on the back of the coal industry since it was first identified as a possible health issue for employees working in mines.

To date no straightforward method had been identified to measure diesel particulate or “smoke”, with current standard techniques involving a large installation including a dynamoneter and 15 metre long dilution tunnel.

A research project funded by Coal Services and conducted by the NSW Department of Minerals and Resources (DMR) will test hand-held instruments on the market and an American proto-type to help industry identify a simpler way of measuring diesel hazards.

DMR senior scientific officer and speaker at last week’s diesel particulate seminar Clive Ellis said the instruments tested must fit two criteria: to be technically valid and be practical to use in the field.

“If companies are able to monitor diesel particulate on-site they will know which machines are cleaner than others, which ones need attention, which engines are better to buy and which fuels give them better results,” Ellis said.

So far the first testing stage of the project has been completed at TestSafe in Londonderry, where four different methods were tested against the standard method of measurement.

Three light scattering hand-held instruments differing in size and one American prototype instrument were tested. The prototype, which consists of a copper tube with filter, air-sampling pump and a pressure measuring device, was bought over from America by a researcher from the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH).

With the preliminary testing now over, Ellis plans to collate the data, and then proceed to on-site mine tests. Results are expected to be released in 2004.

Ellis said reducing diesel particulate not only safeguarded the health of employees but could also have economic benefits.

“Mines that have done a lot in cleaning up their diesel fleet say there are benefits in terms of costs,” he said.

“Although it does cost them money initially they say their work force is happier, and they can use machines with fewer restrictions while maintaining an acceptable work environment.”