Regulatory implications of airborne respirable free silica variability in underground coal mines

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298669191364433· OSTI ID:5599960

Villnave, J M; Corn, M; Francis, M; Hall, T A ^[1]

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1. Hazcon, Inc., Portland, OR (USA)

The respirable dust standard for respirable free crystalline silica in underground coal mines is expressed as milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) of respirable dust and is determined by the silica content of the dust. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulates silica exposure by determining and enforcing compliance with the respirable dust standard for each active mine section. The MSHA strategy for regulation is examined in the context of respirable free crystalline silica and dust data. Deficiencies of the strategy include the same enforcement efforts regardless of compliance history, inappropriate treatment of data, and emphasis on short-term variability of silica content. These deficiencies result in inadequate enforcement in chronically dusty mines, 'game playing' with optional samples, and an overall approach that does not focus on the long-term impact of silica exposure on lung health. Alternative approaches include enforcement efforts proportional to compliance history, use of a moving average silica content, and more statistically sound approaches to data interpretation.

• OSTI ID: 5599960
• Journal Information: American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States), Journal Name: American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal; (United States) Vol. 52:3; ISSN AIHAA; ISSN 0002-8894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL MINING
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MINERALS
MINING
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PUBLIC POLICY
SAFETY STANDARDS
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
STANDARDS