Chemistry and particle size distribution of respirable coal dust in underground mines in Central Eastern Europe

Abstract Despite international efforts to limit worker exposure coal dust, it continues impact the health of thousands miners across Europe. Airborne dust has been studied improve risk models and its control protect workers. Particle size distribution analyses shows that using spraying systems suppress airborne dusts can reduce particulate matter concentrations coals with higher ash yields produce finer dust. There are marked chemical differences between parent relatively coarse deposited (up 500 µm, DD ). Enrichments in Ca, K, Ba, Se, Pb, Cr, Mo, Ni especially As, Sn, Cu, Zn Sb finest respirable fractions could originate from: (i) mechanical machinery wear; (ii) variations mineralogy; (iii) fly used shotcrete, carbonates explosions. Unusual enrichments Ca mine attributed use such concrete, elevated K raised levels phyllosilicate mineral matter. Sulphur than , probably due lower organic Mass all elements observed this study remained below occupational limits.