Effects of Exposure to Carbon Dioxide in Potash Miners

Potash miners can become exposed to carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the blasting of basalt intrusions or loading and transporting the blasted salt. In a cross-shift study, we compared physiological effects of acute exposure to elevated CO₂ concentrations in miners after long-term exposure to evaluate the possible health risks. A group of 119 miners was assessed by clinical examination, lung function tests, and blood gas content directly before and after the shift. A cumulative CO₂ exposure was measured using personal monitors. The miners were categorized as low (<0.1 vol.%, n = 83), medium (<0.5 vol.%, n = 26), and high (>0.5 vol.%, n = 10) CO₂ exposed subjects. We found no significant differences among the three groups. Lung function testing revealed no conspicuous findings, and chronic health effects were not observed in the miners either. In conclusion, no significant adverse effects could be found in potash miners exposed to elevated CO₂ concentrations. Therefore, the mining authorities allow potash mining operations for 4 h at ambient CO₂ up to 1.0 vol.% and for 2 h at CO₂ not exceeding 1.5 vol.% per shift.