Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mining”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The prevalence of ischemic heart disease and the characteristics of sudden cardiac death in miners of the Donets Basin coal mines].

Prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and of general population risk factors was studied on the basis of results of the epidemiological survey among miners (n = 6500) working in coal mines of Donbass with different mining and geological conditions and mining and technical characteristics. In the above series, there prevailed exertional angina and an arrhythmia form of IHD in which the pain syndrome was absent or was of atypical character. Recordable in the miners was an age-associated increase in IHD prevalence. There was also a relatedness of this parameter to the length of service in underground conditions. Direct correlation between the underground service duration and IHD rates was ascertained in all age groups. In 56 percent of cases unexpected cardiac death occurred at job or on the worker's way home, which event was in 63 percent of cases related to hard strenuous work, performing labour-consuming operations at high temperature. Furthermore, in 80 percent of cases the above events were preceded by psychoemotional overstrain.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Health standards for occupational noise exposure. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor. Final rule.

This final comprehensive rule replaces MSHA's existing standards for occupational noise exposure in coal mines and metal and nonmetal mines. The final rule establishes uniform requirements to protect the Nation's miners from occupational noise-induced hearing loss. The rule is derived in part from existing MSHA noise standards, and from the Department of Labor's existing occupational noise exposure standard for general industry promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As a result of the Agency's ongoing review of its safety and health standards, MSHA determined that its existing noise standards, which are more than twenty years old, do not adequately protect miners from occupational noise-induced hearing loss. A significant risk to miners of material impairment of health from workplace exposure to noise over a working lifetime exists when miners' exposure exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA8) of 85 dBA. MSHA expects that the final rule will significantly reduce the risk of material impairment within the mining industry as a whole.

Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced↗
PubMed1998

Occupational medicine in the Idria mercury mine in the 18th century.

Of all medical sciences in Slovenia, occupational medicine has the longest tradition. It is not a mere coincidence that it had developed already at the beginning of 18th century in Idria. The Mercury mine in Idria, is the second largest European mine of its kind, next to the Spanish Almaden, and has been owned by the Habsburg dynasty for four centuries. To attain higher production, the miners in Idria received medical and social care much earlier than anywhere else; chronic intoxication caused by mercury fumes greatly hindered their working ability. The first and, at the same time, one of the most prominent doctors in Idria, J.A. Scopoli (1723-1788) perfectly described the symptoms of chronic intoxication with mercury in his work De Hydrargyro Idriensi Tentamina Physico-Chymico-Medica (Venice, 1761) and thus ranked himself among the early medical writers of occupational medicine, medical hygiene and toxicology. His predecessors were Ellenbog, Paracelsus, Mattioli and some others. The article describes the situation in the mine of Idria in the 17th and 18th century and focusses on Scopoli's mineralogical and medical discussion on mercury miners and mercurialism.

History, 18th Century↗
PubMed2001

Assessment of hand-arm vibration syndrome in a northern Ontario base metal mine.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in 617 workers at a base metal mine in northern Ontario. Workers who were employed at the mine between the years 1989 and 1994 and who continued to live within a 100 km radius of the mine were sent a self-reported questionnaire to identify individuals with possible vibration-induced symptoms in their upper extremities. Of the 162 workers who attended the medical examination, 50% were diagnosed with HAVS, 26% had other diagnoses with some workers having multiple afflictions e.g., both HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). No vibration-induced symptoms were reported in 35% of the workers who were clinically normal. The study was designed to educate, advise, and to make recommendations on the prevention of HAVS. Ongoing commitments to technological improvements, mandatory and regular rest periods, and continuing educational sessions on the syndrome should help to reduce the prevalence of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Dust exposure and cancer risk associated with amphibolite mining and processing].

Mining and processing of amphibolite is associated with workers' exposure to dust containing asbestos minerals (actinolite, tremolite) and with the presence of respirable fibers, i.e. small particles above 5 microns long and below 3 microns in diameter (with length-to-diameter ratio higher than 3:1). Results of epidemiological and laboratory studies show that such dust may be responsible for the development of cancer in dust-exposed people. This work reports the measurement results of concentrations of total dust, respirable fibers and mineral composition of samples collected in plant mining and processing amphibolite rock. Based on the results, cumulated exposure was calculated for the 10-, 20- and 30-year exposure periods. The cumulated exposure was classified into two categories: 0.1-1.0 f/cm3 years and 1.0-10 f/cm3. x years. It has been found that mining and processing of amphibolite is associated with increased risk of death from mesothelioma--11.2 x 10(-5) (crushers--10 years of exposure) to 240.0 x 10(-5) (miners--30 years of exposure). The risk of excessive mortality from lung cancer was not high (below 1. x 10(-4)) for all workplaces and periods of exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Removal of copper by Pseudomonas putida strain S4 isolated from copper mines.

A bacterial strain, Pseudomonas putida S4, was isolated from smelter drainage of copper mines. The strain exhibited resistance to several heavy metals, like aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) besides copper (Cu). Strain S4 could accumulate Cu from the Cu-supplemented growth medium. In the present study, we have demonstrated the Cu2+ removal capacity of this strain from various samples such as mine effluent, low-grade ore and ore-tailings, collected from the mining site. Moreover, approximately 80% of the accumulated Cu2+ could be recovered from the loaded biomass by a simple desorption procedure.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2002

[Chronic and predominantly sensory polyneuropathy in Toroku Valley where a mining company produced arsenic].

We report 9 patients (5 males, 4 females, ages 63-77) with chronic polyneuropathy. They were exposed to arsenic for about 15-40 years in Toroku Valley, Takachiho-Town, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, where a mining company produced arsenic from 1920-1962. Predominantly sensory polyneuropathy was the most significant neurological finding. In 5 of them, superficial and deep sensation was equally affected over the entire body, including head, face, and mucous membranes of the mouth. The corneal reflexes were absent or sluggish. Pin-prick and light-touch perception was absent in their hands and legs. Another sensory disorder such as glove and stocking-type was seen in 4 of them. All 9 patients were comfortable with extremely hot water in their beverages, their baths, and their wash basins compared with controls. But these patients felt that their temperature sensation was normal. Motor involvement was minimal. Although motor-nerve conduction velocities were normal or reduced minimally, sensory-nerve conduction velocities were moderately reduced. Sural-nerve biopsy revealed reduction of both small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, which occurs with axonal degeneration of peripheral nerves. Other main symptoms and signs were tension-type headaches, non-painful tonic spasms of limbs, and losses or significantly decreased sensations of taste and smell. Dantrolene-sodium was effective for the treatment of their non-painful tonic spasms of limbs. As for the general medical condition of these patients, all of them had suffered from chronic bronchitis and skin eruption during childhood or in their early life or in their young adulthood when the mine was producing arsenic. At the time of this study only four of them suffered from chronic bronchitis and none of them had skin eruptions or discoloration of the skin, 37 years after closure of the mine. These 9 patients were diagnosed as having chronic arsenic poisoning and arsenic polyneuropathy. The multiplicity of symptoms found in these patients--anosmia, ageusia, chronic bronchitis, tension-type headaches, and non-painful tonic spasms of limbs--differs from the symptoms previously reported cases with arsenic poisoning. This may be due to combined overexposure to environmentally hazardous arsenic by effluent gas, dust, and drinking water in Toroku Valley. As concerns the sensory disorders described above, it is necessary to investigate sensory conduction pathways, including cerebral sensory cortex, spinal cord, and skin sensory receptors such as Pacini corpuscles, and Meissner corpuscles. Unfortunately, no information has been obtained about this problem because there were no autopsy cases.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Environmental impact of noise levels in and around opencast bauxite mine.

Until recently, noise pollution has not been paid adequate attention as air, water and land pollution. In order to assess (predict) the impact of bauxite mine noise on employees health and in and around bauxite mine environment, general noise sources and equipment noise were monitored. All these noise sources were compared with prescribed standard noise levels laid down by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Data has also been compared with reference site, north block hill top which is barren and virgin plateau/top covered with grass only and free from human interference. Equipment noise levels were much higher than the other zone of the mine which does not have the corresponding standards. Rock breaker recorded the highest noise level with 73.1 +/- 14.2 to 89.5 +/- 10.1 dB (A) while from ripper dozer it was least with 61.0 +/- 17.3 to 76.2 +/- 6.2 dB (A). Meteorological parameters did not have much influence upon equipment noise up to 100 feet from the source.

Aluminum Oxide↗
PubMed2003

[On planning methods of sustainable eco-environmental management in mining areas].

Studies on the theory and methodology of ecological planning could provide material guide and technical support for sustainable development in mining areas. As one of the most important section of ecological planning in mining areas, sustainable eco-environmental managing planning run through the whole producing course. On the basis of sustainable eco-environmental construction and management, the framework of eco-environmental management system of mining areas was established in this paper. The material methods for confirming the indexes of eco-environmental management, recognizing the factory of eco-environment and making the decision of eco-environmental managing project were also provided.

Ecology↗
PubMed1992

[Mining medicine in the 18th century. On the 250th anniversary of the birthday of Ignaz von Born (1742-1791)].

Ignaz von Born (1742-1791) improved several technical and methodical approaches to mining and was thus instrumental in creating the prerequisites for reducing certain professional miner's diseases. Among these diseases, lead or saturnine poisoning (colica saturnina) caused by lead monoxide PbO, also known as litharge, was much dreaded (a 17th-century physician from Goslar wrote a treatise on "Lithargyrii fumo noxio morbifico, vulgo dicto 'pit cat'"); a miner's disease associated with phthisis and pareses of a then unknown etiology; and in some cases even with hookworm disease that was much later recognised as yet another professional disease of miners. During this era a new professional image of a mining engineering physician developed, with several of these doctors trying to go beyond merely curative measures: they aimed at achieving meaningful prevention that involved standard measures and behavioural patterns on the one hand and improvements in the professional mining procedure on the other.

History, 18th Century↗
PubMed1992

[Biological testing of the fibrogenic effect of dust from the "Sosnowiec" mine on the lung tissue].

In order to determine biological aggressiveness of settled dusts (mechanical, crumbled) and dusts collected using the gravimetric method, experimental studies were carried out, including: 1) evaluation of the physicochemical parameters (size of dust particles, content of silica, metals and other chemical compounds), 2) evaluation of the haemolytic activity, 3) experimental evaluation of fibrogenic potentials by means of: a) intraperitoneal test--to identity morphological type of reactive changes in the peritoneum and b) intratracheal test--to determine the level of hydroxyproline (collagen) in lungs and the morphological type of reactive changes. Albino rats were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into ten groups which received a single intratracheal injection of 50 mg of mining dust in 0.9% NaCl suspension. Comparative evaluation of biological aggressiveness of mining dusts was conducted basing on the findings of collagen levels in lungs. After the end of the experimental period (3 and 6 months, respectively) histopathological a examination of the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes was made and the collagen levels in the pulmonary tissue (following Stegemann) were determined. As evidenced by the results of the pathomorphological examination and a statistical analysis: 1) after intratracheal injection the mining dusts induced changes within the respiratory system e.g. inflammatory process and emphysema. The exposure also brought about double increase of collagen level as compared to the control group, 2) histopathological study of the lungs and lymph nodes did not reveal progressive development of fibrogenic changes, 3) cytotoxic test showed differences in the haemolytic activity of settled dust and dusts collected by the gravimetric method.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

[Comparative evaluation of the effects of detergents Emulkop and Rokafenol N-8 on the aggressiveness of coal mine dust in the aspect of prevention of its biological effect].

Comparative studies on the impact of the detergents Emulkop and Rokafenol N-8 upon the development and course of experimental pneumoconiosis caused by mine dusts were carried out. Albino rats and rabbits were used for the experiment. Methodological assumptions were based on the analogy with the conditions observed at the workplaces where some means of dust control were used. The acute toxicity evaluation was based on determination of the medial lethal dose (DL50) after intragastric administration of the detergents. Irritating action of the detergents on the skin was also evaluated. The effect of the detergents on the aggressiveness of selected dusts was estimated by means of the intratracheal and intraperitoneal tests. At the end of the experimental period (3 and 6 months, respectively) histopathological investigations of the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes were carried out, and the hydroxyproline (collagen) levels in the pulmonary tissue were determined. According to Hodge and Sterner Chemical Substance Toxicity Classifications, Emulkop has been classified as non-toxic, and Rokafenol N-8 as a weakly toxic substance. On the basis of the investigation results obtained it has been established that: 1) Rokafenol N-8 does not qualify for use in coal mines as a formulation designed for dust control because it doesn't eliminate coniotic changes and causes a significant increase in the level of hydroxyproline (collagen) in pulmonary tissue, 2) in the case of Emulkop our studies have shown that this detergent can be used to prevent pneumoconiosis in coal mine workers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2003

[A case-control study on the risk factors of leukemia in mining areas of rare-earth in South Jiangxi].

OBJECTIVE: In order to explore the correlation on radioactive contamination of lanthanon to leukemia, and provide clues for the causes and prevention of leukemia in mining areas of rare-earth elements. METHODS: 1:1 matched case-control study was used. A total of 51 clinically confirmed leukemia cases, individually matched with controls from general population, were interviewed in mining areas of rare-earth in South Jiangxi from November to December, 2001. Data were analyzed, using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The main risk factors would include frequently drinking water from river (OR = 5.543), distance from residence to rare-earth mine and years for living in the area (OR = 3.308), exposure to organophosphorus pesticide (OR = 3.014). Tea drinking habit appeared to be a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Leukemia seemed to be related to environmental pollution with rare-earth elements around the residential areas and organophosphorus pesticide exposure. The protective factor of tea drinking habit seemed to be unique in this study, which called for further studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Selenium toxicity in sheep grazing reclaimed phosphate mining sites.

Phosphate mining operations in southeastern Idaho have exposed selenium (Se) that was originally sequestered in the subsurface. Sheep grazing in these areas have died as a result of high Se concentrations in forage and water. This study was designed to monitor the health status of sheep grazing in a natural environment with known elevated levels of Se. A total of 72 Columbia x Suffolk sheep were divided into 3 treatment groups that included control (Con), low selenium (LoSe) and high selenium (HiSe). The baseline phase of the study was conducted in an area with normal background Se levels in forage and water, and was grazed for 3 w by all sheep groups. The sheep then were moved onto reclaimed mine areas to begin the 4-w exposure phase. This was followed by a 2-w depuration phase where sheep again received normal Se levels in forage and water. The Con group was held on areas with normal Se levels of forage (< 0.32 ppm Se dw) and water (< 1.70 ppb Se). The LoSe group was held in an area of elevated forage Se (< 13.0 ppm Se dw) and normal Se levels in their water (< 1.70 ppb Se) during the exposure phase. The HiSe group was held on mining areas with elevated Se forage (< 49.0 ppm Se dw) and drinking water (340 to 415 ppb Se). Whole blood and serum levels in the HiSe group peaked at 1.32 and 0.99 ppm mean Se, respectively. The LoSe group had mean whole blood and serum Se levels of 0.75 ppm on day 42 and 0.32 ppm on day 35 respectively. The Con group maintained low Se levels in both whole blood and serum that ranged from 0.05 to 0.14 ppm and 0.06 to 0.13 ppm respectively. The Se exposure in the HiSe group was estimated 0.26 mg Se/kg body weight/d. One sheep in the HiSe group died and was diagnosed with Se toxicosis based on clinical signs, histopathology and tissue Se levels. Se in liver (3.90 ppm), kidney (1.90 ppm) and skeletal muscle (0.70 ppm) were indicative of high to toxic Se exposure. Two other sheep necropsied after the exposure phase also had Se concentrations in liver, kidney and skeletal muscle representative of high or toxic Se exposure (5.50, 3.50 and 1.10 ppm Se), but these sheep had no gross or histopathological signs of illness. More research is needed on the toxicology of Se in sheep grazing natural settings.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed2002

[Assessment of risk for tin mine dust in Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the minimum observed adverse effect level(LOAEL) and intensity of pathogenesis of tin mine dust. METHODS: A cohort study design with retrospective assessment of exposure was used. Selected 4,471 male tin miners who were exposed to tin at least one year during 1960 to 1974 and were compared with 4,797 pottery dust exposed workers in the same way designed. Statistical analysis system SAS, PROC LIFETEST were used to perform the non-parameter calculation by Life Table method. RESULTS: Tin mine cohort subjects were followed up to December 31, 1994. The percentage of miners who developed silicosis was 21.7% (971/4,471). 81% of the patients had been exposed to dust before 1958. The cumulative total dust exposure(CTD) was significantly correlated with silicosis risk. The risk of silicosis was 0.012 when CTD was less than 50 mg/m-3.year-1. The risk of silicosis was increased to 0.971 when CTD was beyond 400 mg.m-3.year-1. However, the risk of silicosis was only 0.369 for dust exposed workers in pottery factories when CTD was beyond 400 mg.m-3.year-1. CONCLUSION: There was significant relationship between cumulative dust exposure and the incidence of silicosis in tin exposed workers. And silicosis induced by tin mine dust is more serious than the pottery dust.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1992

[Data on predicting the status of body functions of the engineering and technical personnel in the mines].

Reliability of mine foremen influences greatly the group microclimate, productivity and safety of work in mines. Engineering and technical personnel with high level of professional reliability shows the best parameters of psychophysiologic status. Criteria are worked out to score the most informative psychophysiologic functions in mine foremen during the preliminary and regular check-ups of such personnel.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2003

[Microbial eco-characteristics of reclaimed mining wasteland in red soil area of southern China. I. Effects on soil microbial activity].

Studies on the soil microbes, soil enzyme activity and soil biochemical intensity in copper mining wasteland indicated that the total quantity of major soil microbes declined by 68.43%-80.32%, compared with that of the non-minig soil. The proportion of bacteria and actinomyces decreased, while that of fungi did not changed obviously. The amount of major physiological groups including ammonifiers, nitrogen fixing bacteria, cellulose decomposing bacteria, aerobic nitrogen fixing bacteria and anaerobic nitrogen fixing bacteria all decreased, and soil basic respiration descended, compared with the control. The activity of soil enzymes weakened, which included urease, sucrase, proteinase, acid phosphtase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and dehydrogenase. Soil biochemical intensity including ammonification, nitrification, nitrogen fixation and cellulose decomposition descended, and the circulation of C and N in mining soil inhibited. All the results showed that the weakening of microbial activity was one of major characteristics in reclaimed mining soil.

Ecology↗
PubMed1992

[Injuries from mines].

In autumn 1991, 157 patients injured by mine explosions were taken care of by a Norwegian military medical unit attached to the United Nations mission in the demilitarized zone between Iraq and Kuwait. 146 of the patients were seen during a three week period of Iraqi mine harvesting in the desert. The detachment worked according to the principles of a second echelon surgical installation. The patients were operated upon if necessary, stabilized and evacuated to Iraqi hospitals. 20 patients in all (13%) died primarily. Four of 109 patients evacuated to the field hospital died (4%). 68 patients had major amputations, in seven of them two extremities were blown off. One patient had an open chest wound, two had tracheal puncture wounds, and one had penetrating head injury. 27 patients had eye injuries, 13 of which were penetrating. 64 major surgical procedures were performed. When evacuation times are long after mine injuries, approximately six hours, almost only patients with injuries to the extremities can be expected to reach hospital for treatment. The pattern of injury was regular, with crushed extremities, amputations and damaged eyes.

Adult↗