The NIOSH Mining Program aims to eliminate mining fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through relevant research and impactful solutions. More than 65 engineers work in the NIOSH Mining Program representing many disciplines including chemical, electrical, mechanical, industrial, mining, software, and general engineering. It is through the various lenses of these disciplines that NIOSH tackles a host of challenges in the mining industry. One such example is exposure to silica.
Worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS)—which can cause severe lung diseases—remains a major health concern in mining as well as in construction, oil & gas, and general industry. Having a quick, effective way to monitor RCS concentrations is crucial to combatting the potential negative effects of RCS exposure. Current RCS monitoring requires samples to be sent to an external laboratory for analysis, and it can take days or weeks for results to be available.