Monitoring and Sampling Approaches to Assess Underground Coal Mine Dust Exposures (2018) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 11-28
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This chapter provides a general overview of underground coal mining processes, inhalational exposures in coal mines, the spectrum of lung diseases related to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) exposures, historical trends in the prevalence and severity of those diseases, and changes in U.S.
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regulations, on RCMD measurements. Assess the efficacy of current monitoring technologies and sampling approaches and de velop science-based conclusions regarding optimal monitoring and sampling strategies to aid mine operators' decision making related to reducing RCMD exposure to miners in underground coal mines.
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. OVERVIEW OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINING METHODS AND JOB DUTIES The variability in RCMD composition and concentration is linked to coal mining processes and mine locations.
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. The spectrum of coal mine dust lung diseases includes simple and complicated CWP; silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis; dust-related diffuse fibrosis; and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis (Petsonk et al., 2013; Perret et al., 7Coal rank is a classification of coal based on fixed carbon, volatile matter, and heating value.
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Consequently, efforts to minimize RCMD exposure along with medical surveillance for early disease detection and removal from exposure are the mainstays in protecting a miner's health. A number of Class I human carcinogens, including silica, radon, and diesel exhaust, are found in coal mine environments, and excess lung cancer mortality among coal miners (especially those exposed to respirable crystalline silica)
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coal miners. Trends in Underground Coal Mining and Employment That May Affect Disease Risk Major changes have occurred over the past several decades in underground coal mining practices and coal mining conditions, some of which might have affected RCMD exposures and contributed to changing disease patterns.
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Separate plots represent various years of work tenure. The plots show an overall decline in CWP following enactment of the 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, followed during the past two decades by an increasing prevalence of CWP in coal miners with 15 or more years of tenure, and especially for miners with 25 or more years.
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. A study of lung tissue specimens from 13 coal miners with rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis found that features of accelerated silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis were common (Figure 1-5)
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The upper lobe is completely replaced by progressive massive fibrosis (PMF)
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, Congress stated that the purpose is "to provide to the greatest extent possible, that the working conditions in each underground coal mine are sufficiently free of respirable dust concentrations in the mine atmosphere to permit each miner the opportunity to work underground during the period of his entire adult working life without incurring any disability from pneumoconiosis or any other occupation-related disease during or at the end of such period." That goal was to be achieved through mandatory RCMD exposure standards, medical examinations, and compensation programs, which were to be supported by enforcement as well as research and development programs. (Appendix G supplements the information provided in this section.)
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. Every underground coal mining section in the United States operates under a MSHAapproved mine ventilation plan, which contains provisions for methane and dust control, as specified in 30 CFR 75.370.
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.9,10 Mine operators are required to use the CPDM to monitor RCMD exposures of under ground coal miners in occupations associated with the highest concentrations. The CPDM also is to be used to monitor the exposures of Part 90 miners.
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Noncompliance occurs when one MSHA sample meets or exceeds the excess concentration value. Trends in Regulatory Compliance Sampling In contrast to the increasing rates of more severe and rapidly progressive forms of CWP, recent operator and MSHA samples in underground coal mines for regulatory compliance determinations show that measured airborne RCMD concentrations have decreased since implementation of the 2014 dust rule.
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As discuss in later chapters, optimal strategies are needed to assure that the recent surge in prevalence and severity of coal mine dust lung diseases does not continue. ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT In Chapter 2, the committee discusses the current technology and application for rock dusting to control explosions in coal mines, the composition and particle size distribution of available rock dust products, and the effect of rock-dusting practices on measurements of RCMD concentrations and compliance with respirable dust standards.
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underground coal miners: A 23-year fol low-up. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 51(4)
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2012. Potential determinants of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, advanced pneumoconiosis, and progressive massive fibrosis among underground coal miners in the United States, 2005-2009.
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1992. Exposure-response relationships for coal mine dust and obstructive lung disease following enactment of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.
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American journal of industrial medicine 50(6)
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