Air Sampling Programs Reveal Mists and Asbestos Dust

Read the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) report about the health effects from the inhalation of mists and other elemental dusts. In addition to these dangerous elements, miners are routinely exposed to carcinogens such as asbestos.

The pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of metal particles can range from simple dust accumulation, for example, iron and titanium, to nodular or interstitial fibrosis (lung scarring), such as may be caused by beryllium.

Systemic reactions are caused by the absorption of a toxic agent into the body. The reactions may occur in other parts of the body in addition to the original site of absorption. Inhalation is the most common route of entry.

However, systemic poisons may also be ingested or absorbed through the skin. The effects of acute inhalation poisoning may appear quickly because of the rapidity with which the toxic agent can be absorbed in the lungs and pass into the bloodstream.

Acute symptoms of systemic poisoning such as blurred vision, headache, nausea, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, delirium, breathing difficulties, and diarrhea, may be non-specific as to cause.

Some chronic symptoms, such as a blue line appearing in the gingival tissue at the margin of a tooth (lead), or a green tongue (vanadium), are known to be caused by a specific contaminant.

Sensitization is considered to be a systemic allergic-like reaction because absorption of a small amount of the contaminant at one point can cause a reaction in all areas of the body.

A sensitization reaction is the abnormal response of an individual to a contaminant due to previous exposure. A sensitization reaction may be triggered by increasingly lower concentrations of the sensitizing contaminant.

Courtesy of http://www.msha.gov/S&HINFO/OPRSAMP/OPRSAMP.HTM

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