An analysis of coal mine lung diseases in the US coal mines

Abstract

Underground coal miners are exposed to different health and safety hazards. Analysis of mine accident data can provide valuable information on the probable causes of mine accidents and the mitigation techniques to reduce the risk and the consequences of those accidents. Cumulative inhalation of respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) can lead to diseases, including coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP), silicosis, and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). The objective of this paper is to examine the CWP diseases in the US coal mines between 1986 and 2018. The number of diseases and geographical locations were extracted from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) accident database. Furthermore, individual parameters, including, age, and job experience were also recorded. The incidences were categorized based on the mining method and the location of accidents underground. The results showed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations. Furthermore, underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region. Finally, recommendations for risk reduction and mitigation and dust control techniques are provided.