Sampling and Analysis of Diesel Engine Exhaust and the Motor Pool Workplace Atmosphere

Diesel engine exhaust and the motor pool workplace atmosphere at four garages in Fort Carson, CO were sampled and analyzed for organic compounds to better define the fuel-related workplace atmosphere contamination to which military personnel are exposed the most frequently and at the highest concentrations. Both time averaged and time resolved samples were collected. Major organic vapor phase compounds were determined using thermal-desorption GC. Major particulate phase organic compounds were analyzed by solvent extraction and GC. PAH were measured using HPLC/GCMS. The organic composition was very complex. Concentrations of individual compounds varied over ca. an order of magnitude from location to location or at the same location over time. Keywords: Motor pool, Workplace air, Diesel exhaust, Sampling, Analysis, Gas chromatography.