Case cluster of pneumoconiosis at a coal slag processing facility.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: The OSHA investigation consisted of industrial hygiene sampling, a review of medical records, and case interviews. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: This is the first known report of lung disease in workers processing coal slag and raises concerns for workers exposed to coal slag dust.