US EPA

1379703 

Technical Report 

Walk-Through Survey Report: Control Technology for Mine Assay Laboratories at Cone Geochemical Inc., Lakewood, Colorado 

Hall, RM; Sheehy, JW 

1993 

NTIS/02980101_2 

GRA and I 

GRA and I 

A walk through survey was conducted to identify potentially effective control systems in place at Cone Geochemical Inc., Lakewood, Colorado, a commercial geochemical and assay laboratory analyzing samples from various exploration and development projects. Potential exposures for workers at this facility included a variety of chemical agents such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and respirable crystalline silica. The sample preparation area, particularly during litharge mixing, and the fire assay area were the two places where exposures were most likely to occur. Local exhaust ventilation and partial enclosures in the sample prep and litharge mixing areas were used to help reduce exposures. Local exhaust ventilation was employed and HEPA half mask respirators were worn at specific times in the fire assay operation. All the measurements taken indicated a well operating local exhaust ventilation system was in place at this location. The authors conclude that this site has effective control measures in place and would be acceptable for an in depth evaluation. 

Occupational safety and health; *Control equipment; *Toxic substances; Laboratories; Occupational exposure; Ventilation; Indoor air pollution; Industrial hygiene; Mines(Excavation); Protective equipment; Heavy metals; Lead(Metal); Arsenic; Mercury(Metal); Silicon dioxide; Lakewood(Colorado)