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Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance System (eWoRLD)

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

Respirable coal mine dust: Number of samples, geometric mean exposures, and percent exceeding designated occupational exposure limits by industries with elevated coal workers' pneumoconiosis mortality, MSHA inspector and mine operator samples, 1990-1999
Table showing Respirable coal mine dust: Number of samples, geometric mean exposures, and percent exceeding designated occupational exposure limits by industries with elevated coal workers' pneumoconiosis mortality, MSHA inspector and mine operator samples, 1990-1999

- indicates incalculable field
CIC - Census Industry CodePEL - permissible exposure limitREL - recommended exposure limit 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, ICD codes, industry codes, agents, and list of selected states and years for which usual industry has been reported.

Source:  Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) coal mine inspector and mine operator dust data. National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause-of-death data.

Reference Number: 2002T02-15

Date Posted: May 2003

Most Recent Version:
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