Routine monitoring over many years has shown that the risk of exposure at Pilbara Iron is low for all occupational groups. Simple dust control procedures are extremely effective and include dampening ore stockpiles, reducing traffic speed on dirt roads, and efficient ventilation of vehicles and workshops. Protective gear is also worn in confined work areas.
When dusty air is inhaled, particles greater than 5 microns are caught in the mucus which coats the nose, sinuses, trachea and bronchi. The particles are moved up with the mucus towards the throat and either expectorated or swallowed.
The most harmful dust is respirable, and contains tiny particles smaller than 5 microns, or 0.005 mm, which are not visible to the naked eye. These tiny particles can pass deep into the lungs where they become caught in the lung tissue and may eventually result in fibrosis. Other risk factors include the age of the person when first exposed to the dust, the concentration of dust and the years of exposure.
The most common harmful dust in mining is that which contains silica, or extremely fine particles of crystalline silica commonly found in materials such as concrete, masonry and rock. Breathing in these fine particles can produce a lung disease, known as Silicosis, and lead to heart failure or increase risk of other diseases such as tuberculosis.
Did you know? The marra mamba ore, from West Angelas, contains lower levels of silica than most Australian iron ore which makes it particularly attractive in iron making processes.
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