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Mining Publication: Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal Mines
Keywords: Coal dust Coal mining Dust control Exposure limits Quartz 
 Respirable dust Respiratory system diseases
Original creation date: February 2012
Authors: GJ Joy
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - February 2012
Download PDF Document (0.25 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20040128
J Occup Environ Hyg 2012 Feb; 9(2):65-68
Occupational exposure to high levels of respirable quartz can result in respiratory and other diseases in humans. The Mine Safety and Health Adminstration (MSHA) regulates exposure to respirable quartz in coal mines indirectly through reductions in the respirable coal mine dust exposure limit based on the content of quartz in the airborne respirable dust. This reduction is implemented when the quartz content of airborne respirable dust exceeds 5 percent by weight. The intent of this dust standard reduction is to restrict miners’ exposure to respirable quartz to a time-weighted average concentration of 100 microg/m3. The effectiveness of this indirect approach to control quartz exposure was evaluated by analyzing respirable dust samples collected by MSHA inspectors from 1995 through 2008. The performance of the current regulatory approach was found to be lacking due to the use of a variable property - quartz content in airborne dust - to establish a standard for subsequent exposures. In one situation, 11.7 percent (4370/37,346) of samples that were below the applicable respirable coal mine dust exposure limit exceeded 100 microg/m3 quartz. In a second situation, 4.4 percent (895/20,560) of samples with 5 percent or less quartz content in the airborne respirable dust exceeded 100 microg/m3 quartz. In these two situations, the samples exceeding 100 microg/m3 quartz were not subject to any potential compliance action. Therefore, the current respirable quartz exposure control approach does not reliably maintain miner exposure below 100 microg/m3 quartz. A separate and specific respirable quartz exposure standard may improve control of coal miners’ occupational exposure to respirable quartz.
Image of publication Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal MinesPeer Reviewed Journal Article - February 2012
Download PDF Document (0.25 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20040128
J Occup Environ Hyg 2012 Feb; 9(2):65-68
See Also
Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining
Coal Mine Explosion Prevention
Control of Respirable Dust
Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust: Occupational Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust
Dust Control Practices for Underground Coal Mining
Equivalency of a Personal Dust Monitor to the Current United States Coal Mine Respirable Dust Sampler
Improved Dust Control Methods for Longwall Mining
Performance of a New Personal Respirable Dust Monitor for Mine Use
Respirable Dust
Respirable Quartz Hazard Associated with Coal Mine Roof Bolter Dust
Trend in Black Lung Cases Concerns NIOSH Researchers
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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