New rules offer more protection to mine workers exposed to asbestos

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=61441§ion=News

John Myers Duluth News Tribune
Published Saturday, March 01, 2008

The Federal Mine Safety Health Administration announced late Friday it has raised protections for mine workers who may be exposed to asbestos, including steelworkers at Minnesota iron ore mines and taconite processing plants.

The new rules for miners, published Friday in the Federal Register, match worker protections already in place by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for almost all other workers.

The new rule lowers the permissible exposure limit for asbestos 95 percent, from two fibers per cubic centimeter to 0.1 fibers. It also lowers the allowable limit for brief exposures to higher asbestos levels from10 fibers per cubic centimeter for 15 minutes to 1 fiber for 30 minutes.

The mine safety agency, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, said the new limits “will significantly reduce the risk to miners.’’ The rules apply to U.S. iron ore mines, coal mines and other nonferrous mines such as copper or nickel.

Exposure to asbestos fibers has been associated with lung cancer, mesothelioma and other cancers, as well as asbestosis and other nonmalignant respiratory diseases, the agency said.

The issue has been highlighted in recent years in Northeastern Minnesota as news of unusually high levels of mesothelioma deaths was reported. State and University of Minnesota health officials are trying to determine the source of exposure that may have triggered the deadly disease.

FULL story at link.