Occupational health risk assessment of noise in a coal mining enterprise in Shaanxi Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To evaluate the noise hazard level of a coal mining enterprise, and identify high-risk operation types and people, and to provide a basis for preventing and controlling the health damage caused by noise. Methods A large coal mining enterprise in Shaanxi Province was selected as the research object. The noise monitoring data of the coal mine over the years was used to calculate the noise exposure matrix of each post in the enterprise, and the classification of occupational hazards at workplaces (GBZ/T 229.4-2012) was used to assess the occupational health risk levels. Results Among the 22 noise-exposed positions in the enterprise, the 8-hour working day equivalent sound level in positions of shearer driver, horseshoe driver, crusher driver, shuttle driver, relaxation screen driver, and grading screen driver were all higher than the occupational exposure limit of noise. In 2021, the noise exposure levels of shearer drivers, crusher drivers, and coal-selecting workers were all higher than 90 dB (A), and the occupational hazard level was moderate hazard level. In addition, the noise exposure levels of most other jobs also exceeded the occupational exposure limit. Conclusion The noise hazards in the coal mine industry are mainly concentrated in the posts of the coal mining system, tunneling system, and screening workshop. Among them, the shearer driver, the crusher driver, and the coal preparation workers have higher noise exposure levels. It is recommended to take corresponding noise reduction measures and strengthen the protection level to reduce the noise exposure risk of workers.

Investigation of radioactivity level in an open-pit coal mine in Xinjiang, China and evaluation of personnel exposure dose / 中国辐射卫生

@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate and analyze the levels of γ dose rate and radon concentration at all sites in a large open-pit coal mine with radioactivity that had been mined for many years in Xinjiang, China, and to estimate the effective dose exposed to the personnel. <b>Methods</b> A portable γ dose-rate instrument FH40G was used for fixed-point monitoring of the mining area, and a continuous radon detector was used for 24 h continuous monitoring of radon concentration level in the site. The personnel exposure dose was estimated according to the measured γ dose rate and radon concentration. <b>Results</b> In this open-pit coal mine, the range of γ dose rate was 51.4-435.8 nGy/h; the mean 24 h radon concentration was 15-25 Bq/m³; the range of annual effective dose to the personnel was 0.29-1.29 mSv/a. <b>Conclusion</b> According to the results of the survey, radon concentration levels at all sites are low, and no remedial action is required. The personnel exposure dose at most of the sites is far below the standard requirements, and some protective measures need to be taken in some areas of the dump.

A case of pulmonary aspergillus infection in underground coal mine workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

The underground environment is dark and humid, and it is easy to breed pathogenic microorganisms. A lump in the right lung of a coal mine underground transport worker was found druing occupational health examination. CT examination showed that the lump was located in the posterior segment of the upper lobe of the right lung, with point strip calcification, liquefaction necrosis, and proximal bronchial stenosis and occlusion. MRI examination FS-T(2)WI and DWI showed "target sign", annular low signal around the central high signal, and low mixed signal around the periphery, and annular high signal in the isosignal lesions on T(1)WI. Then the pulmonary aspergillus infection was confirmed by pathology.

Application of two occupational health risk assessment methods for dust hazards in non-coal underground mines / 环境与职业医学

Background The mining of non-coal underground mines may come into contact with various types of dust, such as lead, zinc, copper, and non-metallic minerals. Dust of various kinds commonly exists in all aspects of mining and selection, and is one of the main occupational hazard groups in non-coal underground mines. Objective To compare the application of two risk assessment methods in the occupational health risk assessment of productive dust in non-coal underground mines, and to provide a reference for the selection of dust hazard health risk assessment methods and the management of dust hazards in non-coal mines. Methods A field investigation of the dust hazards of three typical non-coal underground mining enterprises (lead-zinc mines, copper mines, and fluorite mines) was carried out, and the comprehensive index method and the occupational health risk assessment method from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) were used to perform risk assessments. The comprehensiveindex method considers the following factors: dust monitoring data, the aerodynamic diameter of dust, hazard control measures, occupational health management, daily usage, and daily exposure time to determine exposure levels. The ICMM method determines the risk level based on the consequences caused by dust, exposure probability, exposure time, and uncertainty coefficient. Kendall consistency test was used to compare agreement between the results generated by the two methods. Results The results generated by the comprehensive index method were as follows: level 3 (medium risk) or level 4 (high risk) for silica dust or lead dust; level 1 (negligible risk) or level 2 (low risk) for other dust (dust with free SiO2 content<10% and containing lead, zinc, and copper, using other dust limit values for comparison), fluorspar mixed dust, fluorine and its compounds, zinc oxide, and copper dust. The risk levels graded by the ICMM method were as follows: level 4 (very high risk) and level 3 (high risk) for exposure to silica dust and lead dust, respectively, and level 1 (tolerable risk) or level 2 (potential risk) for exposure to other dust (dust with free SiO2 content <10% and containing lead, zinc, and copper, using other dust limit values for comparison), fluorspar mixed dust, fluorine and its compounds, zinc oxide, and copper dust. The consistency level between the results graded by the two methods was very high (Kendall W coefficient=0.974, P < 0.05). Conclusion For the occupational health risk assessment of productive dust in non-coal underground mines, the consistency level of risk assessment results between the ICMM method and the comprehensive index method is very high. The ICMM method is more convenient to operate and should be preferred in assessing health risks of dust hazard in non-coal underground mines.

Caracterización de un Consorcio Microbiano Metanogénico de una Mina de Carbón en la Cuenca de Bogotá / Characterization of a Methanogenic Microbial Consortium from a Coal Mine in Bogotá Basin

RESUMEN En el trabajo se estudió un consorcio microbiano metanogénico de una mina de carbón de la cuenca de Bogotá en Colombia. Se establecieron cultivos de enriquecimiento de carbón ex situ para el crecimiento y la producción de gas de novo. El gas biogénico producido por los cultivos se analizó mediante cromatografía de gases con detectores de ionización de llama y conductividad térmica. Los cultivos se utilizaron para aislar estirpes microbianas y para generar bibliotecas del gene 16S rARN empleando de cebadores de bacteria y de arquea. El análisis de cromatografía de gases mostró producción de metano a 37 oC, pero no a 60 oC, donde el CO2 fue el componente principal del gas biogénico. El análisis de la secuencia del gen 16S rARN de estirpes microbianos y de las bibliotecas de clones, estableció que el consorcio microbiano metanogénico estuvo formado por especies de bacterias de los géneros Bacillus y Gracilibacter más la arquea del género Methanothermobacter. El consorcio microbiano metanogénico identificado es potencialmente responsable de la generación de gas biogénico en la mina de carbón La Ciscuda. Los resultados sugirieron que los metanógenos de este consorcio producían metano por vía hidrogenotrófica o de reducción de CO2.

ABSTRACT The work studied the methanogenic microbial consortium in a coal mine from the Bogotá basin in Colombia. Ex situ coal-enrichment cultures were established for in vitro growth and de novo gas production. Biogenic gas produced by cultures was analyzed by gas chromatography using thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors. Cultures were used to isolate microbial specimens and to generate 16S rRNA gene libraries employing bacterial and archaeal primer sets. The gas chromatographic analysis showed methane production at 37 oC, but not at 60 oC, where CO2 was the major component of the biogenic gas. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of microbial isolates and clone libraries established that the methanogenic microbial consortium was formed by bacteria species from Bacillus and Gracilibacter genera plus archaea from the Methanothermobacter genus. This meth-anogenic microbial consortium was potentially responsible for biogenic gas generation in La Ciscuda coal mine. The results suggested that these methanogens produced methane by hydrogenotrophic or CO2 reduction pathways.

Investigation and analysis of underground noise in Sichuan coal mines / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To understand the harm degree of underground noise and provide basis for noise control. Methods: In November 2019, 13 typical coal mines in Sichuan Province were selected as the research objects, and a total of 1203 sites and 609 jobs of noise exposure were investigated. Results: The noise intensity P75 >80 dB (A) was measured. The noise intensity of the inspection place of the air compressor is >86 dB (A) , the noise intensity of the inspection place of the gas drainage and the operation place of the main fan is between 80-85 dB (A) . Conclusion: Besides the harm of dust, noise exposure should also be paid attention to, and the measures of sound absorption and sound insulation should be taken or personal protection should be strengthened.

Investigation on occupational hazards of non-coal mines in Hunan Province in 2021 / 中国职业医学

@#Abstract: Objective - To understand the status of occupational hazards in non coal mine mountains in Hunan Province. Methods - - A cross sectional survey was conducted on 432 non coal mining enterprises in Hunan Province in 2021. The field ， occupational health survey occupational disease hazard factors detection and occupational health monitoring data analysis were Results - carried out. Limited liability companies and private enterprises were the main economic types of non coal mining ， ， mountains in Hunan Province accounting for 55.3% and 32.4% respectively. The size of enterprises was mainly small and ， ； - micro enterprises accounting for 59.3% and 35.2% respectively 78.0% of the enterprises were in non metallic mining. The - ， over standard rates of silica dust and noise in workplaces were 17.1% and 29.4% respectively. The exposure rate of ， （P ） occupational hazard factor was 47.3%. The smaller the enterprise scale the higher the exposure rate <0.01 . The number of ， ， people exposed to silica dust and noise was the largest with the exposure rate of 29.4% and 31.0% respectively. The rates of ， occupational health training for persons in charge of enterprises occupational health management personnel and workers were ， ， ， 73.8% 73.4% and 85.0% respectively. The smaller the enterprise scale the lower the occupational health training rates of ， ， enterprise leaders occupational health management personnel and workers and the lower the implementation rates of （ P ） - - enterprise occupational health examination all <0.05 . The fully installed rate and effective rate of occupational disease ； prevention facilities were 6.9% and 1.6% respectively and the fully deployed rate and effective wearing rate of personal ， protective equipment were 11.1% and 6.2% respectively. The detection rates of occupational contraindications and suspected ， Conclusion occupational diseases in workers exposed to silica dust and noise were 2.0% and 2.9% respectively. The - ， occupational risks such as silica dust and noise are serious in non coal mine mountains of Hunan Province and the foundation of occupational health management is weak in small and micro enterprises.

Effects of occupational stress and mental health on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal mine workers in Xinjiang / 环境与职业医学

Background The occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in coal mine workers remains high, and psychological factors are one of the important factors. Objective To explore the occupational stress level, mental health status, and prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of coal miners in Xinjiang, and to analyze the effects of occupational stress and mental health on WMSDs. Methods From August 2018 to August 2019, 1300 workers of 4 coal mines were selected by cluster sampling method. Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Scale, Self Reporting Inventory (SCL-90) were used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs, occupational stress, and mental health. Results A total of 1177 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid rate of 90.5%. The prevalence rate of WMSDs was 66.4%, the positive rate of occupational stress was 50.2%, and the positive rate of psychological symptoms was 53.4%. The M (P25, P75) ERI score was 1.0 (0.9,1.2), and the M (P25, P75) SCL-90 score was 138.0 (117.0,184.0). The prevalence rate of WMSDs in ≥3 sites was 45.0% in the occupational stress group and 46.0% in the positive psychological symptoms group. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that reporting occupational stress (OR=1.835, 95%CI: 1.380-2.440) and positive psychological symptoms (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.083-1.969) were positively associated with the prevalence of WMSDs; those being female (OR=2.393, 95%CI: 1.544-3.709), aged≥30 years (OR30-＜40=2.344, 95%CI: 1.507-3.645; OR40-＜50=2.395, 95%CI: 1.541-3.723; OR50-60=5.115, 95%CI: 2.872-9.111), with length of service>15 years (OR=2.283, 95%CI: 1.537-3.392), and being coal diggers (OR=1.591, 95%CI: 1.070-2.365) showed higher risks of reporting WMSDs; those with education level at high school and above (ORhigh school=0.399, 95%CI: 0.279-0.571; ORcollege and above=0.220, 95%CI: 0.157-0.310), and monthly income>8000 yuan (OR=0.364, 95%CI: 0.227-0.582) showed lower risks of reporting WMSDs. The results of structural equation model showed that in model 1 with mental health as the intermediate variable, occupational stress and mental health directly affected WMSDs, and the standardized path coefficients (β) were 0.10 and 0.25 respectively; ERI also directly affected mental health with a β of 0.20. In model 2 with WMSDs as the intermediate variable, ERI and WMSDs directly affected mental health, and the β values were 0.16 and 0.25 respectively; ERI also directly affected WMSDs with a β of 0.16. Conclusion The prevalence rate of WMSDs in selected coal mine workers is high, and occupational stress and mental health affect the occurrence of WMSDs.

Investigation on radiation level in certain coal mines in Xinjiang and dose analysis of employees / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To understand the distribution of associated radioactivity, though investigating and analyzing the level of environmental radioactivity in certain coal mines in Xinjiang, and estimate the effective dose received by the workers. Methods Taking coal mining activities in a certain area of Xinjiang Province as the object of the study, the environmental radioactivity level in the mining process was obtained through on-site measurement and sampling analysis, and the exposure dose of the workers in the coal mining process was evaluated accordingly. Results The radiation dose rate and radon concentration in the underground environment of most coal mines in this area are high. The content of radionuclides in gangue of each coal mine is less than 1 Bq/g, the content of radionuclides in most coal samples is less than 1 Bq/g, and the total α and β in the gusher water of each coal mine are lower than the discharge limits of the sewage discharge standards. The radon concentration level in coal mines is an important factor affecting the radiation exposure of workers. Conclusion Through the investigation of this project, the radioactive level of coal resources stored underground in a certain area is understood，which provides an objective basis for the management and planning of existing coal mines in this area, and provides technical support for the management of exploitation and utilization of mineral resources in China.

Analysis of respiratory dust hazard in 20 coal mining enterprises of a mining group / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the hazardous status of respiratory dust in coal mining enterprises. METHODS: A total of 20 coal mining enterprises in a mining group were selected as the research subjects using a cluster random sampling method. Respiratory dust in the workplace was detected, and the incidence of pneumoconiosis was investigated. RESULTS: The dust types in the workplace of these 20 coal mining enterprises were mainly coal dust and silica dust. The posts with serious coal dust hazard were coal mining and tunneling posts. The M(P_0-P_(100)) of the exposure concentration of time weighted average(C_(TWA)) were 2.38(0.19-14.21) and 2.73(0.49-9.57) mg/m~3. The over-standard rate was 49.2% and 50.0%, respectively, that was higher than the post of gangue selection(all P<0.05 or all P<0.017). The results of short time exposure concentration of short term(C_(STE)) and the over-standard rate were higher in the coal mining and tunneling posts than those of gangue selection and boiler room post(all P<0.05 or all P<0.008). The most serious post with silica dust hazard was the tunneling post, and the M(P_0-P_(100))of C_(TWA) was 1.30(0.38-8.50) mg/m~3, and the over-standard rate was 85.7%. The detection results and over-standard rate of C_(STEL) were higher in the coal mining and tunneling posts than that of boiler room post(all P<0.01). The coal dust over-standard rate of C_(TWA) in workplaces of coal mining enterprises increased from 2015 to 2018(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the over-standard rate of silica dust C_(TWA) in different years(P>0.05). From 2015 to 2018, the incidence of pneumoconiosis was 0.3%, 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.3% respectively, and the patients were all from coal mining and tunneling posts. CONCLUSION: The supervision, management and treatment of respiratory dust hazard in coal mining and tunneling posts should be strengthened to protect the health of workers.

Analysis on the monitoring results of occupational health of workers who leaving their posts from small-sized coal mines / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To explore the health status of the workers who were leaving their posts from small-scaled coal mines, and to provide evidence for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevention and safeguard measures.@*Methods@#In 2017, 1008 workers from the coal mine in a town were monitored for occupational health, and the effects of working type, age were analyzed and evaluated.@*Results@#The health monitoring of the mine workers in this town showed high rate of the abnormal detection of respiratory system and cardiovascular system, the incidence rate of pneumoconiosis was up to 34.82%. The incidence of pneumoconiosis in different types of work was not the same (P<0.05) , and the incidence of tunneling workers' pneumoconiosis was the highest. Pneumoconiosis detection rate increased with age (P<0.05) . The difference of pneumoconiosis detection rate among workers of different ages was statistically significant (P<0.05) , among which the pneumoconiosis detection rate was the highest in the group of 40 years old.@*Conclusion@#The pneumoconiosis is serious in small coal mines in this town. It should strengthen the prevention of diseases such as respiratory system and cardiovascular system of coal mine workers, and pay attention to their health management and prolong the life of patients with pneumoconiosis.

Influence of drinking pattern and alcoholic fatty liver disease in coal miners / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the drinking pattern and the condition of alcoholic fatty liver disease in a certain coal mine workers in Shanxi Province.Methods A total of 1501 workers in a coal mine in Shanxi Province were surveyed by field investigation method.Contents include questionnaire, physical measurement, abdominal ultrasound liver and fasting blood glucose, blood lipid, liver function, cholesterol, blood biochemical indicator detection.ALD diagnostic criteria for fatty liver and alcoholic liver disease group were .recommended by the Chinese Medical Association in 2010.The t test,X2 test and multiariable logistic regression analysis were conducted by SPSS17.0 software.Results This study involved ALD patients with 265 people, accounting for 17.65％ of the total survey.The drinking pattern, such as drinking patterns in the initial drinking age,long duration of drinking, drinking frequency, drunkenness, fasting drinking, average daily alcohol intake as the risk factors of alcoholic liver disease.The Logistic regression analysis of alcoholic liver disease related factors showed that, drinking age, drinking way and daily average alcohol intake were closely related to the occurrence of ALD(OR=0.942,P=0.769;OR=2.811,P=0.000;OR=1.756,P=0.000;OR=542.844,P=0.001) .Conclusion In the coal mine workers, drinking pattern in the initial drinking age, drinking age, daily average alcohol intake are closely related to ALD illness.

Morphological changes in the gills of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) exposed to coal mining effluent water.

Ultrastructural changes in the gills of cat fish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to coal mining effluent water collected from Rymbai river in Jaintia hills, Meghalaya, India was investigated under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pH of effluent water in the river was significantly low (2.5 – 3.0) due to coal mining activity in the adjacent areas. The dissolved oxygen (DO) was 7.7 mg l-1 and conductivity 0.93 mS. Morphological changes like dissociation of the epithelium (E) of branchial arches and gill filaments, hypertrophy and disorientation in the array of lamellae were observed in the treated fish, leading to fish death. The primary and secondary gill lamellae (PL and SL) exhibited fusion, distortion and loss of alignment. Some of the gill rackers showed necrosis at certain places. The morphological features of the gills as revealed through SEM were highly deteriorated when compared to control.

Effect of Soil Ameliorators on Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities that Colonize Seedlings of Pinus densiflora in Abandoned Coal Mine Spoils

In this study, the effect of soil ameliorators on ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities in coal mine spoils was investigated. Organic fertilizers and slaked lime were applied as soil ameliorators in 3 abandoned coal mine spoils. One year after the initial treatment, roots of Pinus densiflora seedlings were collected and the number of ECM species, colonization rate, and species diversity were assessed. The results showed that the soil ameliorators significantly increased ECM colonization on the roots of P. densiflora. The results suggest that soil ameliorators can have a positive effect on ECM fungi in terms of growth of host plants and show the potential use of soil ameliorator treatment for revegetation with ECM-colonized pine seedlings in the coal mine spoils.

Respiratory Symptoms, Cognitions about Working Environments and Pulmonary Functions in Coal Mine Workers / 대한산업의학회지

To assess the adverse effects of dust on pulmonary function and to determine the association between subjective respiratory symptoms, cognitions about working environments and pulmonary functions, the study was conducted on 719 coal mine workers (395 workers on direct part, 324 workers on indirect part) being employed in a coal mine industry located in Hwa-Soon area. Questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and cognitions about working environments were filled out by themselves, and pulmonary function test was given by trained doctors. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. Significantly increased subjective respiratory symptoms prevalence were found in the workers on direct part comparing to workers on indirect part, and symptoms prevalence rate was higher in sputum, coughing, respiratory difficulty, palpitation and chest pain in order. 2. Significantly increased cognitions degree about working environments were found in workers on direct part comparing to workers on indirect part, and the degree was higher in dust concentration, temperature, working density and humidity in order. 3. FVC, FEV(0.5), FEF(200-1200ml) and FEF(25-75%) were lower for workers on direct part than that for workers on indirect part. 4. In workers on direct and indirect part, lung functions except FEF(200-l200ml) for the high subjective symptom group was smaller than that for the low group. There was not significane statistically, but the significane was found in FVC and FEVt in total coal workers. 5. In workers on direct part, FEVt and FEF(25-75%) for high cognition group about working environmental conditions was smaller than that for the low group but other lung functions were reversed. But in workers on indirect part, similar results was found and the significance was found in FEV(0.5) FEF(25-75%) and FEF(200-1200ml) in total coal workers. 6. Lung functions had negative correlation between sputum and FEF(200-1200ml).