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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Contract: Reduction or Elimination of Coal Mining Related Respirable Dust Toxicity by Selection and Proper Application of Dust Control Additives
Keywords: Dust control Respirable dust
Contract #
75D30121C11927Start Date
9/1/2021Research Concept
Coal mining related respirable dust includes ultrafine particles of coal, crystalline silica, pyrite, aluminosilicates, other minerals, and, in some cases, diesel particulate matter (DPM). With increases in lung diseases such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), which is related to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) in certain regions, investigations in this focus area are warranted. These respirable particles all have an ultrafine size distribution in common. However, they have surface chemistry components in common as well, most notably, the formation of hydroxyl radicals on the surface (termed "silanols" when discussing silica or silicates) and, for some, the presence of iron. Reducing the toxicity of the dust is a possible alternative to control technology.
Contract Status & Impact
This contract is ongoing. For more information on this contract, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.
Under this contract, researchers will review and study various chemical dust control additives that have been proposed in the literature for reduction or elimination of dust toxicity. In addition, this work can also be related to roof bolter operator dust exposure reductions as the research team will collaborate with JH Fletcher in the possible application of any promising chemical additives to physical curtains near roof bolters and to dust filters in the roof bolt dust collection chambers.
Reducing the hydroxyl radical content should reduce the toxicity of the respirable dust. The change in this value will be of paramount interest in this work. A reduction or elimination of the hydroxyl radical should indicate a level of success. This study may also lead to suggestions for future in vivo animal studies conducted by the NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division. If the research suggests that a certain additive may hold special promise, researchers may work directly with Rosebud Mining Company, CHEMSTREAM, and JH Fletcher for testing at mine sites.
Five tasks will be completed as part of this contract research, as follows.
Task 1. Bulk Sample Collection and Characterization
Task 2. Dust Generation from Coal, Quartz, and Pyrite
Task 3. Chemical Additive Test Matrix
Task 4. Data Analysis and Reporting
Task 5. Evaluation by Industry Partners
See Also
Control of Respirable Dust
Dust Underfoot: Enclosed Cab Floor Heaters Can Significantly Increase Operator's Respirable Dust Exposure
The Effects of Water Spray Placement for Controlling Respirable Dust and Face Methane Concentrations
Evaluation of the Approach to Respirable Quartz Exposure Control in U.S. Coal Mines
Improved Drill Shroud Capture of Respirable Dust Utilizing Air Nozzles Underneath the Drill Deck
Improving Silica Dust Control Through Targeted Research
Laboratory Testing To Quantify Dust Entrainment During Shield Advance
An Overview of Fundamental and Emerging Technologies to Monitor and Control Respirable Dust in Underground Coal Mines in the United States
Performance of a Light Scattering Dust Monitor at Various Air Velocities: Results of Sampling in the Active Versus the Passive Mode
Research by NIOSH for Controlling Respirable Dust and Methane Gas on Continuous Miner Faces
Page last reviewed: February 28, 2023
Page last updated: February 28, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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