Skip directly to local search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance System (eWoRLD)

Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis: Coal Mine Dust Exposures (Archive)

Respirable coal mine dust: Geometric mean exposures and percent exceeding designated occupational exposure limits by type of facility, MSHA inspector and mine operator samples, 1979-1999
Table showing Respirable coal mine dust: Geometric mean exposures and percent exceeding designated occupational exposure limits by type of facility, MSHA inspector and mine operator samples, 1979-1999

- indicates incalculable field
PEL - permissible exposure limitREL - recommended exposure limitGM - geometric mean

Note:  In coal mining, for respirable dust containing less than 5% quartz, the MSHA PEL is 2 mg/m3 MRE; for respirable dust containing greater than 5% quartz, the MSHA PEL is [(10 mg/m3 MRE) / (% quartz)]. The NIOSH REL of 1 mg/m3 MRE for respirable coal mine dust was adopted in September of 1995. Geometric means are reported in MRE equivalent. All samples are compared to the MSHA PEL of 2 mg/m3 MRE for respirable coal mine dust containing less than 5% quartz, regardless of actual quartz content. See appendices for source description, methods, and agents.

Source:  Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) coal mine inspector and mine operator dust data.

Reference Number: 2002T02-14

Date Posted: May 2003

Most Recent Version:
Contact Us:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov