Recommended health-based limits in occupational exposure to selected mineral dusts (‎silica, coal : report of a WHO study group, meeting held in Geneva from 6 to 12 March 1984‎

1. Introduction -- 2. Causal agents : properties, uses, health hazards 3. retention and elimination of airborne particulate matter -- 5. Health effects of exposure to airborne silica and coal -- 6. Relationship between exposure and relevant health effects -- 7. Recommendations -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Annexes

Evaluates the effects of inhaled mineral dusts containing relatively high levels of silica and of mixtures of dusts produced during the extraction and processing of coal. Utilizing data on exposure-effects and exposure-response relationships, the report sets forth recommendations based on an evaluation of the incidence of silicosis or coal-workers pneumoconiosis following exposure to silica and coal. Recommendations take account only of health considerations and do not include the problem of implementing operational limits. Annexed to the report are a definition of pneumoconiosis adopted in 1971, a summary of the international classification of radiographs of pneumoconiosis, and a table listing occupational exposure limits in selected countries.