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An historical review of airborne coal dust levels and the prevalence of occupational lung disease in New South Wales coal mines 1948-1988.

Griffits R

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; (Pt II):990-993

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/90-108/

00198870

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.

Pulmonary disorders; Occupational health; Occupational respiratory disease; Medical monitoring; Dust exposure; Coal mining; Dust control; Worker health; Coal workers pneumoconiosis

14808-60-7

19901101

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

1991

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108

Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

PA