According to CBC News, stricter silica dust controls are being welcomed by miners. Jim Skinner, president of the United Steelworkers at Wabush Mines, said "it's going to address a lot of the problems that residents of Labrador West are having and as well as the miners in the mine, to make sure this place is a healthy and a good place to live."

The new rules were developed by the the Newfoundland and Labrador government in conjunction with the Wabush Mines and the Iron Ore Company of Canada. Not only is silica known to be carcinogenic, it also has been shown to cause the lung disease silicosis. Silicosis has no cure and generally is fatal. Miners have been trying to get stricter regulations in place regarding silica exposure for years. The last set of rules regarding silica exposure were put into place in 1984.

Related links:
Silica on Legal View
Protecting the Health of Miners
Government Release: New Silica Code Practice

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:58 PM | Permalink

According to a study from Edinburgh University, diesel exhaust has been correlated to heart attacks.

Soot particles from diesel exhaust can enter arteries and cause them to harden, helping clots to form, which can lead to heart attacks. The findings have potential implications for EPA regulations. However, because the study was so tightly controlled, further research will have to be done to establish causality.
"Diesel exhaust consists of a complex mixture of particles and gases," said study author Dr. Nick Mills, a clinical research fellow at the Edinburgh center. "Before we can advocate the widespread use of particle traps in diesel engines, we need to verify that combustion-derived particles are the responsible component."
study from Edinburgh University, diesel exhaust has been correlated to heart attacks.

Related links:
UK Daily Records
Diesel Exhaust Chokes Human Arteries

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 03:23 PM | Permalink