Investigation on the Health Status of Coal Miners in Shanxi Province

Abstract

PP-30-031 Background/Aims: Shanxi province is the main coal region in China. There were a great deal of coal miners in Shanxi Province, and the health status of coal miners should be caught our attention. The study could explore the occupational health status of the coal workers in Shanxi Province. Methods: A total of 500 male coal miners working on coal digging and 250 male office workers in the same coal mine for 1 year were selected as exposure and control group, respectively. The personal health information, including the demographic status, occupational status, and diet, were collected with face-to-face interview conducted by the trained technician. We also monitored the concentration of the coal dust in the coal mine and reviewed the exposure history to the dust and symptoms for related occupational disease of the subjects. Results: The average age of the subjects was 38.47 ± 10.47 years old (range, 19–59 years). The age distribution, working years on the mine, and food style were not significant difference between exposure and control groups. The range of total dust concentrations were 0.5–69 mg/m3 (national criterion is 8 mg/m3) and range of respirable dust concentrations were 0.2–5.0 mg/m3 (national criterion is 5 mg/m3) in the working environment. The symptom-related dust exposures such as cough, sputum, tired, memory letdown, joint ache, and audition descending were obviously increased in the miners who were over 35 years and in miners who had worked in the mine over 5 years (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The health status of coal miners were obviously not good and associated with the working years for coal digging in the mine.