Ukraine has 570,000 coal miners, one of the largest mining populations in the world. It also has the highest death rate per ton of coal produced, at seven deaths per million tons, more than 200 times the U.S. death rate of 0.034 deaths per million tons. Ukraine had its worst mining disaster in recent history this past March, when 82 miners perished in a methane and coal dust explosion in Krasnondon. In 1998 the second worst disaster occurred in Donetsk, where an explosion killed 63 miners and disabled 75 others. Mine conditions which result in such accidents would be expected to cause significant lung disease, however prevalence data in Ukraine is difficult to gather. The central Occupational Health Institute depends on reporting from the local hospitals. They are able to report on the numbers of cases identified but cannot provide accurate prevalence data due to lack of standardized screening, case definitions, and reporting. It is reasonable to assume that rates of occupational lung disease in Ukraine are high. Coal dust levels in Ukrainian mines average 60 mg/m3 with excursions to 600 mg/m3. This should be compared with the permissible exposure limit in the US of less than 2 mg/m3. Even these levels are not considered safe. In 1995 NIOSH issued a new recommended exposure limit of 1mg/m3 in 1995 as a result of data showing lung function impairment and radiographic pneumoconiosis occurring in miners working under the current 2mg/m3 limit.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Occupational Health,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.