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Metal and non‐metal miners' exposure to crystalline silica, 1998–2002
Author(s) -
Weeks James L.,
Rose Cecile
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20323
Subject(s) - silicosis , medicine , occupational exposure limit , occupational exposure , environmental health , mine safety , threshold limit value , toxicology , waste management , pathology , coal , coal mining , engineering , biology
Background Crystalline silica is well known to cause silicosis and other diseases. Exposure is common in the mining industry and consequently, the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) evaluates miners exposure to silica to determine compliance with its exposure limit. Methods MSHA exposure measurements were obtained for the 5‐year period from 1998 to 2002 and average exposure was calculated classified by occupation and by mine. Evaluation criteria were whether average values exceeded MSHA's permissible exposure limit or the limit recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), whether there was a risk of exposure to freshly fractured silica, and whether there was a risk of a high rate of exposure to silica. Results Miners in certain jobs are exposed to silica above permissible and recommended exposure limits. Some miners may also be exposed at a high rate or to freshly fractured silica. Conclusions Known dust control methods should be implemented and regular medical surveillance should be provided. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:523–534, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.