Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Metal and Nonmetal Miners.Final Regulatory Economic Analysis and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. Final Rule on 30 CFR Parts 57. Final Standards and Regulations

摘要

This rule is designed to reduce exposures of miners in underground metal/nonmetal(MNM) mines to diesel particulate matter (DPM). Of all groups in the U.S. work force and population at large, underground miners have by far the highest levels of DPM exposure. MSHA field studies indicate that median DPM concentrations observed for underground miners range up to 200 times as high as average environmental exposures in the most heavily polluted urban areas and up to 10 times as high as median exposures estimated for the most heavily exposed workers in other occupational groups. The DPM rule will reduce DPM exposures in underground M/NM mines to levels similar to the highest exposure levels found in other occupational groups. These reduced DPM exposure levels will result in reductions in significant health risks of illness and premature death for underground miners. This standard for underground M/NM mines is a performance standard, with an interim DPM concentration limit of 500 micrograms/m, followed by a final DPM concentration limit of 200 micrograms/m. MSHA assumes that these concentration limits will be met by a combination of ceramic filters and cabs on diesel powered equipment and ventilation improvements. New engines will also play a significant role in meeting the final concentration limit, but MSHA projects that these engines will be replaced in the baseline, and so their costs are not attributed to the rule.