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Occupational Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter in Western Australian Mining: A Retrospective Analysis and Challenges to Future Compliance

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Oosthuizen

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Kerry Staples

    (Department of Health (Western Australia), Epidemiology Directorate, Perth, WA 6004, Australia)

  • Adelle Liebenberg

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Kiam Padamsey

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Marcus Cattani

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Andy McCarthy

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Jacques Oosthuizen

    (School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

Abstract

De-identified diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure data ( n = 24,459) was obtained from the Western Australian mining regulator to assess compliance with the current Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m 3 , measured as submicron elemental carbon, and a proposed limit of 0.01 mg/m 3 , assessed as respirable elemental carbon. R and R-Studio were used to generate summary statistics comparing compliance to the current and proposed limits, stratified by industry and occupational groups. To examine temporal trends, a zero-adjusted gamma model was used to assess whether expected sample means changed over the past ten years, using commodity and location as covariates. DPM exposures have declined significantly over the past decade, and modelling indicates compliance with the current WES. However, the proposed limit introduces both a lower limit and a different sampling method, which present challenges. The sector most affected by these changes is underground gold mining. Several occupational groups, such as ground/roof support, shotfirer, long hole drill and blast, and production and services, are at highest risk of non-compliance. Meeting future exposure limits will require enhanced control strategies, including, cleaner fuels, reduction or elimination of diesel-powered machinery in underground operations and appropriate and regulated use of respiratory protective equipment when assessing compliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Oosthuizen & Kerry Staples & Adelle Liebenberg & Kiam Padamsey & Marcus Cattani & Andy McCarthy & Jacques Oosthuizen, 2025. "Occupational Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter in Western Australian Mining: A Retrospective Analysis and Challenges to Future Compliance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(9), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:9:p:1412-:d:1746312
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Krassi Rumchev & Dong Van Hoang & Andy Lee, 2020. "Trends in Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter and Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms in Western Australian Miners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Kenny S. Crump, 1998. "On Summarizing Group Exposures in Risk Assessment: Is an Arithmetic Mean or a Geometric Mean More Appropriate?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), pages 293-297, June.
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