Respiratory protection in the mining industry

Because respirators may have adverse effects on an individual, it is important that the occupational physician understand these effects and appropriate respirator use in the mining industry. Few studies have been performed on the effects of respirator wear among workers who may have some physiologic impairment. This chapter reviews the relevant regulations, types of respirators used in the mining industry, and the various effects of their use, as well as provides reasonable guidelines for determining fitness to wear these devices.