Preliminary investigation of SEM-EDX as a tool for characterization of coal mine dusts.

The article discusses a preliminary investigation into the potential use of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) as a tool for characterization of coal mine dusts, focusing on the health risks for coal miners who are exposed to respirable mine dusts. Chronic lung disease, silicosis, and coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) are mentioned in relation to the total dust concentrations and silica dust content associated with various mining conditions.