Controlling dust on USA longwall mining operations

摘要

Medical studies have shown that prolonged exposure to excessive levels of respirable coal dust can lead to coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), progressive massive fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These lung diseases are irreversible and can be debilitating, progressive, and fatal. Historically, longwall operations have had difficulty in maintaining consistent compliance with the USA dust standard of 2.0 mg/m. Longwall mining equipment and operational practices have improved dramatically since the early 1980s.