MSHA Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM)
Awareness Training Certification Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM)?
a) A gas produced by diesel engines
b) Solid particles emitted from diesel engines
c) Liquid droplets from fuel combustion
d) A type of diesel fuel additive
b) Solid particles emitted from diesel engines
DPM consists of fine solid particles and soot produced by
incomplete combustion in diesel engines. These particles can be
inhaled and pose health risks.
2. Which of the following is a primary health concern associated with
DPM exposure?
a) Hearing loss
b) Skin irritation
c) Lung cancer
d) Eye strain
c) Lung cancer
, DPM contains carcinogenic compounds, and prolonged inhalation
of these particles increases the risk of lung cancer.
3. What size are most diesel particulate matter particles?
a) 10–50 micrometers
b) 1–10 micrometers
c) 0.1–1 micrometer
d) 50–100 micrometers
c) 0.1–1 micrometer
DPM particles are extremely small, allowing them to penetrate
deep into the lungs, which makes them particularly hazardous.
4. Which group of workers is most at risk for DPM exposure?
a) Office workers
b) Underground miners
c) School teachers
d) Retail clerks
b) Underground miners
Underground miners are exposed to diesel exhaust in confined
spaces where ventilation may be limited, increasing their risk.
5. Which of the following is a common symptom of short-term DPM
exposure?
a) Nausea and eye irritation
b) Hair loss
c) Tooth decay
d) Hearing loss
a) Nausea and eye irritation
Short-term exposure can cause respiratory and eye irritation,
coughing, nausea, and mild headaches.
,6. What is the primary method of reducing DPM exposure in mines?
a) Using ear protection
b) Improving ventilation
c) Reducing work hours
d) Wearing gloves
b) Improving ventilation
Proper ventilation dilutes and removes diesel exhaust from mine
air, significantly reducing workers’ exposure to DPM.
7. Which type of diesel engine emits the most particulate matter?
a) Tier 4 engines
b) Older, non-certified engines
c) Electric engines
d) Hydrogen-powered engines
b) Older, non-certified engines
Older diesel engines without modern emissions controls produce
higher levels of DPM compared to newer, certified engines.
8. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for
DPM exposure when ventilation is insufficient?
a) Hearing protection
b) Respiratory protection
c) Safety gloves
d) Steel-toed boots
b) Respiratory protection
Respirators equipped with appropriate filters can reduce
inhalation of DPM when ventilation alone is insufficient.
9. Which standard regulates occupational exposure to DPM in the
U.S. mining industry?
, a) OSHA 1910
b) MSHA 30 CFR Part 57
c) EPA Clean Air Act
d) NFPA 70E
b) MSHA 30 CFR Part 57
MSHA regulations under 30 CFR Part 57 set limits and safety
requirements for diesel particulate matter exposure in mines.
10. What is the main component of diesel exhaust responsible
for respiratory irritation?
a) Carbon monoxide
b) Particulate matter
c) Sulfur dioxide
d) Nitrogen
b) Particulate matter
DPM contains fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs,
causing irritation and contributing to long-term health risks.
11. Which method is most effective in controlling DPM at the
source?
a) Using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
b) Wetting surfaces
c) Replacing diesel engines with electric or low-emission engines
d) Using hand tools
c) Replacing diesel engines with electric or low-emission engines
Using cleaner engines reduces the amount of particulate matter
generated, controlling DPM at the source.
12. What type of filter is commonly used on diesel engines to
reduce particulate emissions?
Awareness Training Certification Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM)?
a) A gas produced by diesel engines
b) Solid particles emitted from diesel engines
c) Liquid droplets from fuel combustion
d) A type of diesel fuel additive
b) Solid particles emitted from diesel engines
DPM consists of fine solid particles and soot produced by
incomplete combustion in diesel engines. These particles can be
inhaled and pose health risks.
2. Which of the following is a primary health concern associated with
DPM exposure?
a) Hearing loss
b) Skin irritation
c) Lung cancer
d) Eye strain
c) Lung cancer
, DPM contains carcinogenic compounds, and prolonged inhalation
of these particles increases the risk of lung cancer.
3. What size are most diesel particulate matter particles?
a) 10–50 micrometers
b) 1–10 micrometers
c) 0.1–1 micrometer
d) 50–100 micrometers
c) 0.1–1 micrometer
DPM particles are extremely small, allowing them to penetrate
deep into the lungs, which makes them particularly hazardous.
4. Which group of workers is most at risk for DPM exposure?
a) Office workers
b) Underground miners
c) School teachers
d) Retail clerks
b) Underground miners
Underground miners are exposed to diesel exhaust in confined
spaces where ventilation may be limited, increasing their risk.
5. Which of the following is a common symptom of short-term DPM
exposure?
a) Nausea and eye irritation
b) Hair loss
c) Tooth decay
d) Hearing loss
a) Nausea and eye irritation
Short-term exposure can cause respiratory and eye irritation,
coughing, nausea, and mild headaches.
,6. What is the primary method of reducing DPM exposure in mines?
a) Using ear protection
b) Improving ventilation
c) Reducing work hours
d) Wearing gloves
b) Improving ventilation
Proper ventilation dilutes and removes diesel exhaust from mine
air, significantly reducing workers’ exposure to DPM.
7. Which type of diesel engine emits the most particulate matter?
a) Tier 4 engines
b) Older, non-certified engines
c) Electric engines
d) Hydrogen-powered engines
b) Older, non-certified engines
Older diesel engines without modern emissions controls produce
higher levels of DPM compared to newer, certified engines.
8. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended for
DPM exposure when ventilation is insufficient?
a) Hearing protection
b) Respiratory protection
c) Safety gloves
d) Steel-toed boots
b) Respiratory protection
Respirators equipped with appropriate filters can reduce
inhalation of DPM when ventilation alone is insufficient.
9. Which standard regulates occupational exposure to DPM in the
U.S. mining industry?
, a) OSHA 1910
b) MSHA 30 CFR Part 57
c) EPA Clean Air Act
d) NFPA 70E
b) MSHA 30 CFR Part 57
MSHA regulations under 30 CFR Part 57 set limits and safety
requirements for diesel particulate matter exposure in mines.
10. What is the main component of diesel exhaust responsible
for respiratory irritation?
a) Carbon monoxide
b) Particulate matter
c) Sulfur dioxide
d) Nitrogen
b) Particulate matter
DPM contains fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs,
causing irritation and contributing to long-term health risks.
11. Which method is most effective in controlling DPM at the
source?
a) Using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
b) Wetting surfaces
c) Replacing diesel engines with electric or low-emission engines
d) Using hand tools
c) Replacing diesel engines with electric or low-emission engines
Using cleaner engines reduces the amount of particulate matter
generated, controlling DPM at the source.
12. What type of filter is commonly used on diesel engines to
reduce particulate emissions?
