Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance System (eWoRLD)
Silicosis: Respirable Quartz Exposures (Archive)
Respirable quartz: Number of samples, geometric mean exposures, and percent exceeding designated occupational exposure limits by industries with elevated silicosis mortality, MSHA inspector and mine operator and OSHA samples, 1990-1999
- indicates incalcuable field
* MRE equivalent
† The MSHA respirable coal mine quartz exposure data and the NIOSH REL for respirable quartz cannot be compared to each other because they are based on different sampling criteria.
CIC - Census Indus
Note: Before March 1, 1989 and after March 22, 1993, the OSHA PEL is [(10 mg/m3) /(% quartz + 2)], for respirable dust containing at least 1 percent quartz. From March 1, 1989 to March 22, 1993, the OSHA PEL was 0.1 mg/m3 for respirable quartz. For coal mining, the MSHA PEL is [(10 mg/m3 MRE) / (% quartz)] for respirable dust containing greater than 5 percent quartz; for metal/nonmetal mining, the MSHA PEL is [(10 mg/m3) / (% quartz + 2)] for respirable dust containing at least 1 percent quartz. The NIOSH REL is 0.05 mg/m3. 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) metal/nonmetal and coal mine inspector and mine operator quartz data. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Integrated Management Information System. National Center for Health Statistics: multiple cause-of-death data.
Reference Number: 2002T03-17
Date Posted: May 2003
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