Coal dust is a powdered form of coal created through processing activities that involve crushing, grinding or pulverizing of coal. Coal dust can also be generated through mining, handling and transportation of coal.
Respirable dust refers to very fine dust typically invisible to the naked eye that can reach the lower parts of the lung and potentially lead to development of occupational lung diseases.
In Australia, the workplace exposure standard (WES) for coal dust (containing less than five per cent quartz) (respirable dust) has been reduced from 3 mg/m³ to 1.5 mg/m³.