Background & Objectives : Local exhaust ventilation system (LEV) is one of the most common engineering controls methods for the chemical agents in workplaces. This study aimed to determine the efficiency assessment of the LEV system for control of Fe2O3 dust in the process of oxide screen unit at iron making in steel industry .

  Methods : The LEV system with an extensive network of ducting including 17 hoods was investigated in a cross-sectional study. The First, variations and contradictions of the system and process were compared versus documentation (system plans), then hood Efficiency Assessment accomplished by using of the dust concentration measurement besides of the each hood (source), at two status ON and OFF of LEV system (Repeat three times), by NIOSH 500 method.

  Results : Result of statistical test between the concentration of pollutants at two status ON/OFF of LEV system, in 7 of 17 hoods, didn’t show significantly different (P <0.05). Enclosed hood at the material falling from the tank to the feeder, with 85% efficiency and 3.3±1.5mg/m3 concentration at ON status was the highest efficiency. Two hoods, one enclosed hood at material falling from the Feeder into the screen and other unenclosed at material falling from conveyor to conveyor (small size at below screen), both with 2% efficiency and the 243.2±73.5 and 3462.4±1339 mg/m3 concentration demonstrated the lowest efficiency at ON status. Also the highest concentration of contaminants was at the unenclosed hood installed in the place of pellets falling from the conveyor into the tank with 5.03g/m3 and efficiency of 7%.

  Conclusion : The few hoods of the investigated LEV did not have appropriate performance and had different efficiency. Even, some hoods (branches) show negative efficiency due to return of contaminant from the hood to workplace area.