SEASONAL EVALUATION OF WORKERS` PERSONAL EXPOSURE IN UNDERGROUND MINES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46763/NRT2519204mKeywords:
underground mining, personal exposure, mineral dust, pollutantsAbstract
Due to the nature of the underground mining environment, miners frequently face high concentrations of different pollutants. Underground mining is related to several environmental imbalances, including dust, which is recognised as a significant health hazard to mine workers. With a particular focus on mineral dust, lead and silica exposure, this review is intended to determine in which circumstances occupational exposure occurs during various underground activities. The research (study) was conducted in accordance with the General method for sampling and gravimetric analysis of inhalable and respirable dust, as described in MDHS 14/3, HSE - UK, 2000. Measurement were taken twice a year (summer and winter) to evaluate seasonal differences in occupational exposure. Research followed the guidelines provided by OSHA PELS as well as guidelines for the other pollutants. Seasonal exposures show higher dust during the summer while concentrations of lead and silica remained below the permissible exposure limits in most cases.
Downloads
References
1. Gorakhki, M. H., & Bareither, C. A. (2017). Sustainable reuse of mine tailings and waste rock as water-balance covers. Minerals, 7(7), 128. https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070128
2. Ghosh, A.K., Bhattacherjee, A., Chau, N., 2004. Relationships of working conditions and individual characteristics with occupational injuries: a case-control study in coal miners. J. Occup. Health 46, 470–478. 10.1539/joh.46.470
3. Scheepers PTJ, Micka V, Muzyka V, Anzion R, Dahmann D, Poole J, Bos R P (2003) Exposure to dust and particle-associated 1-nitropyrene of drivers of diesel-powered equipment in underground mining. Ann Occup Hyg 47, 379–88. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12855488/
4. Bakke B, Stewart P, Ulvestad B, Eduard W. Dust and gas exposure in tunnel construction work. AIHAJ. 2001 Jul-Aug;62(4):457-65. doi: 10.1080/15298660108984647. PMID: 11549139. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11549139/
5. Rusibamayila, M., Meshi, E. B., & Mamuya, S. (2018). Respiratory impairment and personal respirable dust exposure among the underground and open cast gold miners in Tanzania. Annals of Global Health, 84(3), 419-428. https://doi.org/10.29024/aogh.2323
6. World Health Organization. ( 1999) . Hazard prevention and control in the work environment: airborne dust. Occupational and Environmental Health Team. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/66147
7. Cecala, A. B., O’Brien, A. D., Schall, J., Colinet, J. F., Franta, R. J., Schultz, M. J., Haas, E. J., Robinson, J. E., Patts, J., Holen, B. M., Stein, R., Weber, J., Strebel, M., Wilson, L., & Ellis, M. (2019). Dust Control Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining and Processing (2nd ed.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/userfiles/works/pdfs/2019 -124.pdf
8. Bio F, Sadhra S, Jackson C, Burge P. Respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment in underground gold miners in Ghana. Ghana Med J. 2007 Jun;41(2):38-47. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v41i2.55292. PMID: 17925840; PMCID: PMC1976293.
9. Golbabaei, F., Gholami, A., Teimori‑Boghsani, G., Yaseri, M., & Kianmehr, M. (2019). Evaluation of occupational exposure to silica dust in mining workers in Eastern Iran. The Open Environmental Research Journal, 12, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874213001912010001
10. Sato, T., Shimosato, T., & Klinman, D. M. (2018). Silicosis and lung cancer: Current perspectives. *Lung Cancer: Targets and Therapy, 9(1), 91–101. https://doi.org/10.2147/LCTT.S156376
11. Needleman, H. (2004). Lead poisoning. Annual Review of Medicine, 55, 209–222. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.med.55.091902.103653
12. Jurdziak, M., Gać, P., Martynowicz, H., & Poręba, R. (2015). Function of respiratory system evaluated using selected spirometry parameters in persons occupationally exposed to lead without evident health problems. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 39(3), 1034–1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2015.03.009
13. Mueller W, Horwell CJ, Apsley A, Steinle S, McPherson S, Cherrie JW, Galea KS. The effectiveness of respiratory protection worn by communities to protect from volcanic ash inhalation. Part I: Filtration efficiency tests. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2018, 221(6):967-76. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.03.012
14. OSHA PELS - Mineral dusts; Table Z-3 of 29 CFR 1910.1000. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/nengapdxc.html
15. Regulation on Minimum Safety and Health Requirements for Workers at Risk from Chemical Substances (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 46/2010), Macedonian language
16. EH40/2005 Workplace exposure limits, HSE Books, Second Edition 2011
.png)
