Coal dust is an odorless, dark brown to black dust created by the crushing, grinding, or pulverizing coal.Exposure to coal pile dust can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath while chronic exposure to coal dust may result in symptoms of pneumoconiosis, bronchitis and emphysema that will require medical expense to cure.
Coal dust may cause coal workers' pneumoconiosis which is characterized by development of coal macules, a collection of coal dust particles with reticulin and collagen accumulation. These lesions can be seen as small opacities on X-rays.
While complicated CWP is characterized by lesions consisting of a mass of rubbery, well defined black tissue sticking to the chest wall. This causes a decrease in ventilatory capacity, low diffusing capacity, low arterial oxygen tension, pulmonary hypertension, and premature death. The disease can progress even after the cessation of exposure. The coal dust accumulates in the lungs and the tissue's reaction to its presence leads to complications.
Coal dust is also recognized as a cause of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent cough that produces sputum and yellowish green or green mucus, for at least three months in two consecutive years. Coal dust irritates the airways to the point of inflammation.
Exposure to coal dust is associated with an increased risk of focal emphysema, which is also very dangerous condition for lungs. At coal fired power plants, proper measures should be taken to protect employees from coal dust. JNB excels in fugitive dust control measures and is great to consult with. Not only are they experts at water treatment but since 1982, they have mastered fugitive dust control measures.
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http://www.jnblabs.com/project/jnb_coal.htm
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