Airborne contaminants

A range of coal mine dust lung diseases stem from a range of components present, including reduced iron minerals (e.g., pyrite), crystalline silica (quartzs), silicates (clays) and aliphatic and arommatic carbon compounds. Understanding which of these components contributes towards disease initiation is critical for implementing safety controls for mine workers. Representative cellular models mimicking human lung biological response and understanding reactive geochemical properties of mixed coal dusts are key factors for identifying potential hazards associated with coal mining and other dust-producing industries.

Please find the related research capability statement on identifying the inhalation hazards from mixed coal mine dusts.