Coal dusts

Synonyms

Anthracite coal dust; Bituminous coal dust; Lignite coal dust

Category

Fibrogenic Dusts

Description

Dark-brown to black solid dispersed in air;

Sources/Uses

Most common exposures: underground mines; Also exposed are workers handling and transporting coal, e.g., trimming or leveling coal in ships; [Levy, p. 422]

Comments

Chronic exposure to coal dust can cause bronchitis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). See "Coal workers' pneumoconiosis." "CWP deaths peaked in 1972 (n=2,910), and then declined more than 4-fold to 703 in 2004." [Reference #1] "In the anthracite coal region, CWP mortality has been declining rapidly. If there is no resurgence in the industry, CWP could disappear in that region by 2030." [Reference #2]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

0.4 mg/m3, respirable fraction(anthracite), 0.9 mg/m3, respirable fraction(bituminous)

2.4 mg/m3, <5% SiO2, resp. quartz fract., 10 mg/m3/%SiO2+2,> or equal to 5% SiO2, resp. quartz fract.

Reference Link #2

Yes

Yes

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Coal workers' pneumoconiosis
• CWP, complicated
• Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Mining
• Steel Producing