Despite the various advancements made in recent years,
workers in the extractive industries continue to face the potential hazard of exposure to detrimental particulate matter. Also, despite the significant economic contribution of the extractive industries to the Western Balkan region, there is a lack of data pertaining to the level of
personal dust exposure experienced by people employed in these industries. This study shows the findings of a personal exposure sampling program that was carried out in five distinct enterprises located in Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania. The respirable personal dust levels observed at metal mining sites displayed a wide range of values, ranging from 0.12 to 1.78 mg/m3. The dust exposure experienced by workers in the industrial mineral processing sector has
a similar range, from 0.04 to 4.71 mg/m3. The measured values at the locations where metal processing occurs were determined to be the most minimal on record, falling within the range of 0.03 to 1.36 mg/m3.
This study provides empirical evidence that showcases the ongoing prevalence of elevated levels of respirable dust exposure among workers employed in the extractive industry in Western Balkan countries. The results emphasize the ongoing necessity for the adoption of efficient monitoring and control measures in order to mitigate dust exposure among employees in extractive sectors
