The Relationship between Elemental Carbon and Volatile Organic Compounds in the Air of an Underground Metal Mine

Elemental carbon (EC) content in air is considered a proxy for the diesel exhaust impact at workplaces. This paper examines possibility of estimating EC mine on basis measurements volatile organic compounds (VOC). The measurement study was carried out an underground metal mine. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) applied VOC determination, and thermal-optical analysis (TOA) FID detector utilized measurements. A correlation found between total (TVOC) as well individual hydrocarbons C12–C14 extraction zone regression model developed which predicts based C12, C13, C14, individually, remaining VOCs detected GC/MS taken total. statistically significant (p = 0.053), it offered prediction error RMSE 4.60 µg/sample. obtained result confirms using preliminary estimation concentrations air. approach feasible given availability portable offers easy fast providing qualitative quantitative information.