Characterization of process air emissions in automotive production plants

J Occup Environ Hyg. 2016;13(1):9-18. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1076161.

Abstract

During manufacturing, particles produced from industrial processes become airborne. These airborne emissions represent a challenge from an industrial hygiene and environmental standpoint. A study was undertaken to characterize the particles associated with a variety of manufacturing processes found in the auto industry. Air particulates were collected in five automotive plants covering ten manufacturing processes in the areas of casting, machining, heat treatment and assembly. Collection procedures provided information on air concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition of the airborne particulate matter for each process and insight into the physical and chemical processes that created those particles.

Keywords: Air particles; air quality; automobile industry; fine particles; process emissions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / chemistry
  • Automobiles
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Industry
  • Metallurgy
  • Occupational Health
  • Particle Size
  • Particulate Matter / analysis*
  • Particulate Matter / chemistry

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Particulate Matter