An historical review of airborne coal dust levels and the prevalence of occupational lung disease in New South Wales coal mines 1948-1988.
Source
Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108, 1990 Nov; (Part II):990-993
Abstract
Data on airborne coal dust levels and the prevalence of occupational lung disease in New South Wales coal mines in the years 1948 through 1988 were presented. Coal mining and its associated diseases were reviewed from an historical perspective. Information was also included on geography, prevention and monitoring programs, and the current situation. Regulations adopted in 1984 specified a limit of 3mg/m3 of respirable dust for dust other than quartz (14808607) containing dust. While most continuous mines and longwall units complied with the new gravimetric standard, difficulties were experienced on some longwall faces in meeting the standard. In such situations, personal respiratory protection was being utilized until further engineering measures could be developed. The author concludes that the dust suppression results achieved in New South Wales have resulted in the virtual elimination of coal miners pneumoconiosis from the industry. Although the reduction in the prevalence of pneumoconiosis has been outstanding, appropriate dust monitoring and medical surveillance should be maintained.
Keywords
Pulmonary-disorders; Occupational-health; Occupational-respiratory-disease; Medical-monitoring; Dust-exposure; Coal-mining; Dust-control; Worker-health; Coal-workers-pneumoconiosis
Document Type
Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Identifying No.
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108
Source Name
Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
