NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Testimony on Mine Health Research Before the Subcommittee on Compensation, Health and Safety; House Committee on Education and Labor, by Edward J. Baier, April 4, 1977

摘要

The statement concerned mine health research and technical assistance programs sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH conducted research directed toward protection of life and health, detection of respiratory impairment, and prevention of occupational diseases of coal miners. NIOSH also established coal mine health standards and assures the availability of medical examinations for underground coal miners. NIOSH cooperated in a joint program to test and certify respirators and coal mine dust personal samplers. Miners suffer from various work hazards including exposure to coal dust, radiation and excessive noise levels. There was also evidence of increased mortality due to lung cancer and stomach cancer. There was inadequate data on the degree of exposure to many of the hazards present in the mines. Workers in nonmetal mines and mills were exposed to an even wider range of pneumoconiosis producing dusts than were coal miners. Health standards have been promulgated by the Department of the Interior for metal and nonmetal mining operations. NIOSH was engaged in cooperative research with other agencies to help ensure the future safety of miners.