Evaluating the effect of coal seam height and mine size on coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986-2018

Shekarian, Younes; Rahimi, Ebrahim; Roghanchi, Pedram; Shekarian, Naser

doi:10.1201/9781003188476-44

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…In this study, the average number of employees was used as an indicator for mine size, classified in three categories as small, medium, and large with a number of employees less than 50, between 50 and 100, and more than 100, correspondingly Blackley et al 2014;Shekarian et al 2021b). Furthermore, coal seams were categorized into three different groups based on the average seam height as thin (less than 40 inches), medium (i.e., between 40 and 75 inches), and thick (more than 75 inches).…”

Section: Data Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, this can be interpreted as the overall effect of mining operation, mine size, geographic location, coal rank, and coal seam thickness on CWP disease among coal miners in the U. S. coal mines during 1986-2018. GEE has been widely used for panel estimation (Pang 2017;Shah et al 2017;Shekarian et al 2021b). This method provided the best fit for our data.…”

Section: Regression Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mine size: Several studies has identified mine size (identified by number of underground miners employed) as a predictor of CWP risk among US underground coal miners Laney et al 2012;Shekarian et al 2021b). These studies indicated workers in small mines are associated with an increased risk of CWP, but it was unknown if abnormal lung functions are also linked to the mine size.…”

Section: Geographic Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Johann-Essex et al 2017), which have been associated with severe lung diseases (Schatzel 2009). Other potential factors such as duration and level of exposure, mine operation type, coal and rock-strata geological conditions, dust characteristics (i.e., size, shape, mineralogy, elemental content), dust mitigation techniques, mine size, coal rank, and advancements in cutting technologies have also been suggested as contributing factors to the recent unexpected trend (Antao et al 2006;Gamble et al 2012;Blackley et al 2014;Johann-Essex et al 2017;Graber et al 2017;Dwyer-Lindgren et al 2017;Sarver et al 2019aSarver et al , 2020Shekarian 2020;Shekarian et al 2021aShekarian et al , 2021b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

Shekarian

Rahimi

Shekarian

et al. 2021

Int J Coal Sci Technol

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In the United States, an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’ lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence. This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters, including coal rank, mine size, mine operation type, coal seam height, and geographical location on the prevalence of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) in surface and underground coal mines. A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Employment and Accident/Injury databases. The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software. A total number of 123,589 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707, and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines, respectively. The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations. Furthermore, underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region. Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more likely to CWP development than miners in the Western region. The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes. Furthermore, coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.

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Section: Data Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Regression Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geographic Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

Shekarian

Rahimi

Shekarian

et al. 2021

Int J Coal Sci Technol

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A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) in the U.S. mining industry

Shekarian

Rahimi

Rezaee

et al. 2023

Int J Coal Sci Technol

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Cumulative inhalation of respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) can lead to severe lung diseases, including coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP), silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis (DDF), and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Statistics from the number of reported cases showed a significant decrease in the progression of respiratory diseases in the 1990s. However, an unexpected increase in the number of CWP cases was reported in the late 1990s. To date, there has been no comprehensive systematic review to assess all contributing factors to the resurgence of CWP cases. This study aims to investigate the effects of various mining parameters on the prevalence of CWP in coal mines. A systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) method was conducted to investigate the health effects of RCMD exposure and identify the factors that may contribute to the recent resurgence of CWP cases. The systematic review yielded a total of 401 papers, which were added to the database. The total number of 148 and 208 papers were excluded from the database in the process of screening and eligibility, respectively. Then, 18 papers were considered for data selection and full-text assessment. The review revealed that factors including geographic location, mine size, mining operation type, coal-seam thickness, coal rank, changes in mining practices, technology advancement, and engineering dust control practices are contributing to the recent resurgence of CWP among coal workers. However, the evidence for root causes is limited owing to the methodological constraints of the studies; therefore, further detailed studies are needed.

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Evaluating the effect of coal seam height and mine size on coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986-2018

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’ pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines, 1986–2018

A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) in the U.S. mining industry

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