Peter C. Raynor's Research

Effects of Spray Surfactant and Particle Charge on Respirable Dust Control

Principal Investigator: Peter C. Raynor
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIOSH

The objective of this project is to evaluate how efficiently sprays containing different types and concentrations of surfactants collect coal dust particles carrying various signs and magnitudes of electrostatic charge. A laboratory test apparatus will be used to measure the efficiency with which sprays containing different types of surfactants collect particles charged negatively, positively, or in a bipolar manner.

Measurement of Particle Sizes Associated with Airborne Viruses

Principal Investigator: Peter C. Raynor
Investigators:
Funding Agency: CDC

Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study

Principal Investigator: Jeffrey H Mandel
Investigators: Alan Bender, John R. Finnegan Jr., Gurumurthy Ramachandran, Peter C. Raynor, William M. Stauffer, Bruce Alexander
Funding Agency: State of Minnesota Legislature

The study is a comprehensive research initiative funded by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008, that will lead to a greater understanding of taconite worker health issues on Minnesota's Iron Range. The School of Public Health partners with the Medical School, and the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota–Duluth.

The Health Assessment of Taconite Workers is a thorough epidemiologic investigation into the cause(s) of the excess cases of mesothelioma among taconite workers. This research will also determine the extent to which employment in the taconite industry and exposure to dust from the taconite industry affects the health of workers with specific emphasis on respiratory diseases and diseases associated with silica and asbestos exposure.

Website: http://taconiteworkers.umn.edu/about/index.html