Suggestion of a simple measuring method to control compliance with the limit value applying to Portland cement at workplaces with exposure to cement dust

The practical application of the limit value applying to Portland cement po ses a number of difficulties. Due to the largely heterogeneous dusts occurr ing at the concerned workplaces, it is impossible to have Portland cement s ampled and analysed selectively. In the course of the present study, two ty pes of measurement were conducted in parallel at the concerned workplaces: that of inhalable dust and another one allowing for the approximate quantit ative determination of the cement contained in the inhalable dust fraction. The obtained measurement results were evaluated with regard to their relat ionship such as to determine workplace-related conversion factors for inhal able dust measurement readings. Compliance with the pertinent limit value f or Portland cement is now possible by a simple gravimetric determination of the inhalable dust fraction, followed by a conversion of the inhalable dus t measurement readings.