COAL-MINE WORKERS-PNEUMOCONIOSIS

dThe fibrogenic and cytotoxic potential of coal mine dust is independe nt of the amount of quartz and other inorganic parameters. Results of coal petrographical and organic geochemical investigations of coals an d coal mine dust from the Ruhr and Ibbenburen Region of Germany demons trate variations of organic dust amount possibly influencing these nox ious properties. Coal mine dust of high rank coals is characterized by a pronounced fibrogenic risk. This risk, independent of the quantity of quartz, is probably based on shape variations of different coal mac erals. With increasing coalification of the corresponding seam, the vi trinite is enriched in its dust; however, lower concentrations have be en determined for inertinite. Vitrinite shows constant shapes and size s independent of the rank of coal. Inertinite particles with elongated to fibrous shapes tend to larger sizes with increasing coalification. Strikingly, coal mine dust from miners' lungs with high degrees of co al mine workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is enriched in inertinite. In co ntrast, high cytotoxicities in cell tests are known for coal mine dust from low coalified coals. High concentrations of phenolic compounds c an be extracted by dichloromethane from low coalified coal mine dust. These compounds, which are characterized by a high water solubility an d therefore high bioavailability, explain the high cytotoxicities of c oal mine dust. Contamination of dust by diesel emissions in the coal m ine can act as additionally supporting parameters for extended cytotox icities.