What tool is most commonly used for testing dust levels in mines?

The dust sampling pump is the most commonly used tool for testing dust levels in mines because it efficiently collects air samples over a specified period. This tool creates a vacuum that pulls air through a filter, capturing dust particles present in the air. The collected samples can then be analyzed in a laboratory to quantify the concentration of different types of dust, helping to assess the air quality and worker exposure levels in mining environments.

While other tools mentioned have their own applications, they are not as routinely used for measuring airborne dust levels in mining. A handheld spectrometer might be useful for identifying specific dust particle compositions, but it is not designed specifically for measuring dust concentration levels over time. A dust meter can measure particulate matter but may not be used as consistently in the same context as a dust sampling pump. The gas chromatograph is typically employed for analyzing chemical components but is not focused on particulate dust measurement. Thus, the dust sampling pump is the standard and most effective tool for this purpose in the mining industry.