AbstractsMedical & Health Science

"Mine operators in the Menominee iron range have become aware of the need for adequate ventilation to reduce the amount of dangerous dust in the air. Dust-excluding respirators and water sprays are used but it is apparent that the prevalence of diseases caused by dust will be appreciably reduced only if an adequate amount of fresh air reaches the working places. During the past five years the necessity for direct control of the underground working environment has become particularly urgent. The increase in production rate, with two-shift and three-shift operation replacing the single shift, has complicated the problem of dealing with excessive concentrations of blasting fumes and gases, heat, and oxygen deficiency. The objects of the study described below were: To determine to quantity and quality of air reaching the working places. To determine the amount of heat flowing into the mine air and to ascertain the importance of each source of heat. To ascertain the most economic method of increasing the amount of fresh air reaching the working places. The field work was carried out between December 22, 1947 and January 1, 1948" – Introduction, p. 1.