A risk of pulmonary diseases in miners while using dust respirators

Abstract

Purpose. To determine magnitudes of the occupational risks of respiratory disease (pneumoconiosis) occurrence in miners while using filter respirators on the basis of an exposure dust dose with the consideration of work experience. Methodology. To assess occupational risks, a new approach proposed by the Research Institute of Complex Hygiene and Occupational Diseases is used. The approach is based on determining an exposure dose of a hazardous substance entering the workers lungs during their professional contact with it taking into account the volume of pulmonary ventilation, the number of shifts, and work experience. Findings. Use of dust respirators reduces the risk of occupational respiratory diseases but does not eliminate it completely. It has been established that with more than three-year work experience and coal dust concentrations of more than 50 mg/m3, use of dust filter respirators does not ensure a minimal degree of the occupational disease risks. At the same time, it has been identified that if work experience is less than 3 years with the use of filter respirators, the risk of occupational diseases will be minimal. It has been proved that the risk assessment should involve using the minimal value of a protection factor of a respirator, which is fixed in the production environment. It has been shown that working within the areas with dust concentrations higher than 100 mg/m3 is dangerous for miners; over time, with the accumulation of sufficient dust in the lungs it will lead to the development of silicosis. Originality. It consists in scientific substantiation of the magnitude of occupational risk of respiratory diseases in miners, taking into account a real protection factor of respirators, which is determined at the workplace based on the calculation of an exposure dose and time of professional contact with hazardous substances. Practical value. The experience of safe operation in mine workings with and without using filter respirators has been substantiated, basing on a safe value of coal dust concentration, at which a low level of occupational risk of respiratory diseases is recorded. Recommendations for determining the dust load taking into account a protection factor of respirators at the workplace have been developed.