NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Testimony to Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development and Demonstration, House Committee on Science and Technology by Dr. John F. Finklea February 11, 1976

摘要

The testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development and Demonstration concerned the efforts of NIOSH in the area of fossil energy. NIOSH was given the mandate to establish health standards for underground coal mines and the authority to develop these standards. A standard for quartz (14808607) exposure was established on March 16, 1971. Maximum allowed noise exposures were set on July 7, 1971. Standards on sanitation, potable water, and disposal of refuse and sewage in underground coal mines were published August 14, 1970. More research on the occupational health problems of coal miners has been conducted by NIOSH than on any other occupational group. These projects included epidemiologic and clinical studies on early detection, development, and progression of lung disease, and on techniques for relating x-ray findings to pulmonary disease processes. NIOSH has also provided medical examinations and other services for coal miners and funded clinics for the analysis, examination and treatment of respiratory and pulmonary impairments of coal miners. Significant problems encountered by workers in coal gasification, coal liquefaction and oil shale development were cited. Also addressed were the topics of integrating health research in energy policy decisions, evaluation of the use of animal cell genetic assays to predict mutagenicity, and the status of interagency cooperation on health hazards of sulfates.