Mining and Other Respiratory Hazards

Key points

  • Harmful airborne substances may cause respiratory illnesses in mining workers.
  • Monitoring and controlling airborne contaminants in mining workplaces can reduce the risk of lung disease.
  • NIOSH Mining is working to address respiratory hazards in the mining industry.

Hazardous health outcomes

Workers employed in United States mining facilities are exposed to harmful airborne substances, such as:

  • Respirable dust
  • Diesel particulate matter
  • Crystalline silica
  • Methane gas accumulations
  • Toxic gases from rescue chambers

Exposed workers may experience:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Symptoms of asthma
  • Eye and nose irritation
  • Inflammatory changes in airways
  • Lung function decline

Exposure can also lead to increased risk for the following respiratory diseases:

  • Asthma
  • Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly called black lung
  • Silicosis
  • Lung cancer
  • Progressive massive fibrosis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Interventions

Reducing miners' exposure to respirable airborne contaminants directly reduces the risk of developing lung disease. In response, NIOSH:

  • Identifies sources of high respirable dust and diesel exposure.
  • Evaluates engineering controls that can reduce emissions.
  • Researches controls and operating practices that can prevent airborne contaminants from reaching workers.
  • Develops sampling instruments that can provide exposure information during or immediately after a work shift.

NIOSH dust monitor

NIOSH research developed a personal dust monitor for miners to wear. This monitor provides an accurate measurement of the miner’s average respirable dust exposure immediately after their shift.

Next steps

  • NISOH will continue laboratory and field technology evaluations to control diesel emissions.
  • NIOSH researchers will continue to:
    • Research the properties of aerosols emitted by diesel engines and aftertreatment systems.
    • Improve monitoring solutions for the assessment of miner exposure to silica, respirable dust, and diesel particulate matter.
    • Determine the effect of ventilation system design on the control of methane.
  • NIOSH is monitoring the industry and will continue to seek feedback from stakeholders on the need for future refuge chamber training research.

Resources

NIOSH Mining has published resources for the mining industry to assist their efforts to control dust and diesel exposure. These include:

Print
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Mining Program