Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.147.3-4.2
Evaluating the carbon monoxide mission from chainsaw exhaust outlet
Sercan Gulci
; Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Türkiye
Neşe Gulci
; Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Türkiye
Dalia Abbas
; Department of Environmental Sciences, American University, Washington, DC, USA
Hasan Serin
; Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Türkiye
Kvanç Yuksel
; Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Türkiye
Abstract
In many countries, two-stroke chainsaws have been actively used in forest operations. Chainsaw operators are exposed to harmful gases and particulates generated by the exhaust of the two-stroke hand-held chainsaw. In this study, carbon monoxide (CO) parts per million (ppm) exposure of operators working with a chainsaw at 1900-2000 revolutions per minute (rpm) was investigated by mixing oil-fuel at a ratio of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 10W motor oil (2.5%) and 95-octane unleaded gasoline. To investigate the presence of CO at a short distance, the relationship between exposure time and distance from the source were divided into groups. The result of the statistical analysis has shown that the average amount of CO emitted from the chainsaw was 1683 ppm at a distance of 0 (±4 cm) cm, 343.6 ppm at a 10 cm distance, 252.3 ppm at a 20 cm distance and 86.5 ppm at a 30 cm distance. The analysis of variance, according to the distance, has shown the amount of CO (ppm) to be statistically significant (p <0.05). If the chainsaw operator is working very close to the chainsaw, CO exposure will be observed, which translates to a negative impact on their health and work efficiency. Therefore, training should be conducted to increase the awareness of the proximity to the chainsaw and the operators and the importance of using personal protective equipment. In addition to training support, the use of the new generation of chainsaw engines should also be encouraged and promoted to minimize CO emissions.
Keywords
Forestry; timber production; two-stroke gasoline engine; emissions exposure; carbon monoxide; operator health
Hrčak ID:
300844
URI
Publication date:
30.4.2023.
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