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Reflections on progress with mine dust control and dust control technology.

NIOSH 1990 Sep:33-39
Progress achieved with mine dust suppression technology in controlling dust related respiratory diseases was discussed. Historical developments leading to recognition of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) as an occupational disease of coal miners were described. It was emphasized that recognizing an association between a disease state and etiological agent is essential before any control efforts can be implemented. The physical properties of dusts relative to their deposition in the human respiratory tract were discussed. Instruments used to measure respirable dust concentrations in coal mines and their use in complying with mandated dust standards were reviewed. The use of risk assessments in setting dust standards was discussed. The chemical composition of coal dust and its relationship to CWP were considered. The pathophysiology of CWP is not well understood. Present methods used for diagnosing respiratory disorders such as chest X-rays and pulmonary function testing cannot distinguish between silicosis and CWP. Research efforts in recent years, especially in the United States, have focussed on silica (14808607) being the important etiological agent in CWP. Techniques for controlling dust exposures in coal mines were discussed. These have focussed on removing and diluting dust concentrations by mine ventilation systems, altering mining techniques to control dust emissions, applying water to limit dispersion of dust into the air or to suppress airborne dust particles, and using exhaust ventilation to contain dust sources.
Coal-dust; Dust-suppression; Occupational-diseases; Respiratory-system-disorders; Coal-mining; Occupational-health; Epidemiology; Coal-workers-pneumoconiosis; Control-methods;
Publication Date
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings;
Fiscal Year
NTIS Accession No.
NTIS Price
Identifying No.
(NIOSH) 90-108
Priority Area
Source Name
Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference