Respirable coal mine dust research: Characterization and toxicity analysis based on dust sources

This study investigates the respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) characteristics and toxicity based on the mine’s sources of dust particles. Dissolution experiments in simulated lung fluids (SLFs) and in-vitro response were conducted to determine the toxicity level of samples collected from the coal seam, and the host rock (roof and floor) of an underground coal mine. Dust characteristics were investigated using various dust characterization studies. Significantly higher mineral and elemental contents were found in samples from the host rock, suggesting higher toxicity. Si, Al, Fe, Cu, Ba, Sr, and Pb were found in dissolution experiments. Host rock displayed a much higher bio-accessibility than coal when exposed to artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF), but not with Gamble’s solution (GS). Additionally, neutrophilic and lung epithelial cells showed major affinity to activate inflammatory pathways when exposed to host rock dust. Contrary, macrophage cells were more like to activate inflammation from the coal, but with low expressions.