Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)

ID#:

9556

Caption:

From the 1950s or 1960s, this historic image was provided by the Center for Disease Control's (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), The photograph depicted a coal miner spraying water against the walls of a mine shaft. In this way, freshly excavated regions of the mine, which were laden with ore dust, when wet, would minimize the tendency of the dust to become airborne, thereby, keeping the confined air particulates to a minimum. Note that this miner was not wearing any protective facial breathing gear like a filtered mask. In the small confines of a mine, airborne coal dust can emanate from almost anywhere in the shaft network, which made miners predisposed to the long-term negative health effects of this profession including black lung disease, or coal-workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP).

High Resolution:

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Content Provider(s):

CDC/ Barbara Jenkins, NIOSH; Bureau of Mines, Dept. of Interior

Creation Date:

Photo Credit:

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Categories:

CDC Organization