Workplace Air Quality at Explosive Material Manufacturing and Handling Units

Authors

  • G. K. Kannan Centre for Fire, Explosive & Environment Safety, Delhi
  • J. C. Kapoor Centre for Fire, Explosive & Environment Safety, Delhi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.56.1929

Keywords:

Explosives, solid propellant, workplace air quality, particulate matter, solid particulate matter

Abstract

Worldwide, large quantities of explosives are manufactured for use in various types of
ammunitions, arms, and mines. Toxic pollutants in the workplaces of three major activities, viz.,
explosive and solid propellant preparation facility, solid propellant shell assembling facility, and
solid propellant shell proof firing facility, were studied. The suspended particulate matter (SPM)
concentration in grinding room (13.9 mg/m3) and sieving room (19.3 mg/m3) of solid propellant
preparation facility was observed to be two to threefold higher than the permissible limit. The
SPM in the dentex preparation section was found to be significantly high (10.8 mg/m3). The
personal exposure was fourfold higher (21 mg/m3) than the permissible limit. It was emerged that
concentration of particulate is a major concern in all the processing sections. Since the chemical
nature of these particulates is expected to be more toxic in nature, it requires greater attention.
At firing point, carbon monoxide appeared to be a major concern.

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Published

2006-10-01

How to Cite

Kannan, G. K., & Kapoor, J. C. (2006). Workplace Air Quality at Explosive Material Manufacturing and Handling Units. Defence Science Journal, 56(4), 637–647. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.56.1929

Issue

Section

Armaments & Explosives