Citation

Weeks JL. Occup. Med. (HB) 1993; 8(1): 1-17.

Affiliation

Department of Occupational Health and Safety, United Mine Workers of America, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Hanley and Belfus)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8456342

Abstract

Highlights in the history of efforts to prevent occupational lung disease among coal miners in the United States are reviewed. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 is summarized, and the sources and effects of its provisions to prevent coal workers' pneumoconiosis are examined. Descriptions follow of the identification of coal workers' pneumoconiosis as a disease, identification of respirable coal mine dust as its cause, and establishment and enforcement of an exposure limit. The development of prevention efforts focusing on surveillance of both exposure and outcome and of enforcement of dust control methods is examined.

Language: en