The US government agency tasked with ensuring mine safety and health is seeking information on approaches to control and monitor underground miners’ exposure to diesel exhaust.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA) said in a news release that it was time to review existing standards and determine “whether they adequately protect miner’s health”.

Existing regulations limiting miners’ exposure to diesel particulate matter came into effect in 2001 for underground coal mines and 2006 for other types of underground mines. Coal mines are also required to limit diesel particulate emissions overall – not just exposure.

Technology currently used to reduce exposure include ventilation, diesel equipment maintenance, ultra-low-sulfur fuel, diesel oxidation catalysts and new EPA-approved engines.

Mines can also limit the number of engines within a particular area at any one time and limit idling time of diesel-powered equipment.

MSHA has set a 90-day comment, closing 6 September 2016.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.