{Reference Type}: Case Reports
{Title}: Case cluster of pneumoconiosis at a coal slag processing facility.
{Author}: Fagan KM;Cropsey EB;Armstrong JL;
{Journal}: Am J Ind Med
{Volume}: 58
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: May 2015
{Factor}: 3.079
{DOI}: 10.1002/ajim.22444
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>During an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of a small coal slag processing plant with 12 current workers, four cases of pneumoconiosis were identified among former workers.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The OSHA investigation consisted of industrial hygiene sampling, a review of medical records, and case interviews.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Some personal sampling measurements exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for total dust exposures of 15 mg/m(3), and the measured respirable silica exposure of 0.043 mg/m(3), although below OSHA's current PEL for respirable dust containing silica, was above the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Value (TLV). Chest x-rays for all four workers identified small opacities consistent with pneumoconiosis.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This is the first known report of lung disease in workers processing coal slag and raises concerns for workers exposed to coal slag dust.