In Memoriam – Kenneth L. Cashdollar

Kenneth L. Cashdollar passed away quietly on March 4, 2009 following an extended illness. We have lost a great colleague, a world-renowned researcher, a true gentleman, and a wonderful friend. He was a meticulous and highly organized research physicist who had mastered all phases of experimental work including electronics, instrumentation, and computerized data collection and presentation. Such talents were greatly enhanced by his keen analytical mind and his penchant for keeping meticulous and highly organized records and files.

With a graduate degree in physics in hand, Ken joined the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1973 as a research physicist in the Fires and Explosions research group at the Pittsburgh Research Center. The U. S. Bureau of Mines later transitioned to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in 1996. His initial work included both laboratory and large-scale explosion hazard studies and the development of instrumentation for explosibility testing. Ken made an immediate impact through his work with the multi-channel infrared pyrometers, 1.2- and 6.8-Liter Ignitability Furnaces, 8-, 20-, and 120-liter Explosibility Chambers, and optical dust probes. Ken also played a role in the development of new electro-optical instrumentation to evaluate dust explosion hazards in mines.

He guided laboratory research projects at the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory and full-scale explosion studies at the NIOSH Lake Lynn Experimental Mine. A significant portion of the research was funded by other governmental agencies and government contractors that had potential gas and dust explosion hazards at their sites. Ken meticulously analyzed the hazards and collected the scientific data to support recommendations for mitigating them.

His more recent explosion research provided the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) with data to improve their forensic investigation techniques for future mine explosion accidents. He also directed a recent survey of coal dust sizes in mines which showed that the dust is now finer and requires more rock dust to be inerted.

In 2006, Ken was a key member of the NIOSH special team that responded to the request of the federal government and the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training to assist in their investigation of the Sago Mine explosion (12 fatalities in January 2006) and was a coauthor of the report that was issued.

Ken served in a variety of professional capacities, among them chair of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Subcommittee E27.05 on Dust Explosibility and Ignitability since 1983. Ken has also been the vice-chairman of the E27.04 subcommittee on Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals. From 1990 to 1991 and from 2002 to 2007, he was vice-chairman of the main ASTM E27 committee on hazard potential of chemicals. Ken was also a member of numerous other national and international committees concerned with the prevention of industrial explosions such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He was a member of the International Editorial Board of the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries. Ken also served as the organizer and Chairman of the Symposium on Industrial Dust Explosions sponsored by the ASTM, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the National Fire Protection Association. This conference was held in Pittsburgh in 1986 and he co-edited the proceedings volume.

Ken was an author of over 100 technical publications and was actively sought out to present his research results and recommendations at national and international venues.

He received numerous honors in recognition of his scientific work from the Bureau of Mines and NIOSH and from the ASTM for “20+ years of service to the Committee E27 on the Hazard Potential of Chemicals, and in Particular Your Leadership and Contributions on Subcommittee E27.05 on Dust Explosions.”

On the personal side, Ken had a passion for photography and for the outdoors. He had numerous photo albums filled with photographs taken on his many hikes in the mountains of West Virginia. Ken is survived by his brother, Dr. Charles Cashdollar, of Indiana, Pa. and sister, Jean Martin, of Hurst, TX and their families. He will be greatly missed both professionally and personally by his many friends and colleagues.