Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure of Underground Coal and Metal and Nonmetal Miners

Résumé

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is announcing the extension of the public comment periods on its proposed rules addressing diesel particulate matter exposure of underground coal miners as published in the Federal Register on April 9, 1998, and for underground metal and nonmetal miners published on October 29, 1998. This document also announces the availability of three additional studies applicable to both rulemakings addressing diesel particulate matter exposure of underground coal and underground metal and nonmetal miners. These studies supplement the evidence in both rulemaking records regarding the risks to underground miners of serious health hazards associated with exposure to high concentrations of diesel particulate matter. The Agency, therefore, intends to include these studies in both rulemaking records and make them available to interested parties upon request. These studies do not change the Agency's proposed findings. The Agency is also announcing that it will hold public hearings on its proposed rule addressing diesel particulate matter exposure in underground metal and nonmetal mines in the following locations: Salt Lake City, Utah; Albuquerque, New