Research Progress on the Technology of Dust Removal and Individual Protection for Miners in Coal Mines: A Review

With the continuous improvement of mechanized operation level in coal mines, the amount of small breathable coal dust generated during coal mining and transportation has significantly increased. After being inhaled by miners, coal dust can easily cause coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP), which has a high mortality rate and currently has no effective treatment in clinical practice. The application of various dust removal technologies reduces the dust concentration of the working face to a certain extent, but the concentration of inhalable particles in the workplace is difficult to be controlled within the safe range required by standards, and the removal rate of respiratory dust is still very low. Therefore, the scientific selection and proper use of individual respiratory protective equipment represent the final critical line of defense against dust hazards. This article first systematically reviews the diffusion characteristics of coal dust particles in different working scenarios underground in coal mines, and introduces targeted dust removal technologies along with their application effects. Subsequently, it comprehensively discusses the research progress of individual protective technology for miners, including the development of personal protective equipment and the design and implementation of effective dust masks. Finally, the article addresses the limitations of existing protective technologies and dust removal measures while proposing potential optimization solutions. The review aims to provide significant theoretical support for enhancing the working environment underground in coal mines and preventing CWP.