Coal operations can affect the health of the workers in several ways:
• Exposure to coal mine dust causes pulmonary diseases, such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
,• Exposure to crystalline silica dust causes silicosis, COPD, and other diseases
,• Asbestosis and cancer can also be caused for exposure to the substance in the mine
,• These diseases can cause impairment, disability, and premature death.
