MADSEN, S.K., Dinosaur National Monument, PO Box 128, Jensen, UT 84035 Many preparation activities, particularly the use of pneumatic percussion and grinding tools, generate huge amounts of airborne dust. Airborne particles may pose serious health risks including silicosis and cancer. These hazards tend to be taken lightly or ignored, since the threat is often invisible and the consequences long term.

In 1989, a volunteer armed with a Geiger counter found indications of high radioactivity at an excavation within Dinosaur NM. This discovery spurred us to conduct 2 detailed Industrial Hygiene Surveys focusing largely on radon and dust sources. The surveys identified serious problems in the lab and storage areas, and suggested corrective measures. Over the next 4 years, DNM staff consulted with other museums as well as ventilation engineers to plan and design a user-friendly evacuation system to fulfill our needs. This effort culminated in the construction of a 5000cfm, 2-speed exhaust fan to which are attached 8 flexible hoses for point-source dust collection. Dust is evacuated directly outdoors, and make-up air provided by an integrated fan (heated by propane in winter). In addition, an independent re-circulating system in the lab filters total room air once every 5 minutes removing fine particles missed by the evacuation hoses.