Concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and radon among tanzanite mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania

ConclusionThe tanzanite SSM in Mererani we highly exposed to RCS, which increases the risk of pulmonary diseases, including silicosis, tuberculosis, and pulmonary malignancies. Immediate action by OSHA Tanzania should be enforcement of wearing respirators by all miners throughout the working hours. Health education programmes to the SSM must be strengthened and OSHA Tanzania should adopt the 0.05 mg/m3 PEL, and enforce other occupational health and safety measures, including regular use of dust suppression mechanisms (water spray and wet drilling) and monitoring of RCS exposures among SSM. Monitoring of radon exposure both in the mining pits and community buildings should be conducted, and mitigation measures should be implemented in areas that exceed the reference level of 100.00 bq/m3.
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research