An assessment of airborne N-nitrosamine formation in the presence of explosives and diesel powered equipment in an underground mine.

The environment of an underground hard rock copper mine was selected as an experimental location to assess the presence of N-nitrosamine compounds during the shot firing of a specific water-gel explosive and during the operation of diesel powered equipment. Two set of airborne sample representing N-nitrosamines, aliphatic amines, NO, NO2, and formaldehyde were obtained and analyzed by standard industrial hygiene sampling and analytical techniques. All samples were obtained at one location. The identification of a single N-nitrosamine compound indicated that N-nitrosamines may be present in an underground mine environment. However, due to the uncertainty of the analytical result and the very small number of samples taken, a positive conclusion was not drawn.