Mission:
The Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust (GMTCRD) was establised in 1983 and given the mandate to enhance the heaalth, safety, and productivity of miners through advancing the fundamental understanding of all aspects of respirable dust associated with mining, milling, and the interaction of dust with lungs to reduce the incidence of disease.
Background:
The National Academy of Science conducted a study in the late 1970's on the measurement and control of respirable dust in the mining industry. The Academy's findings suggested that the number of deaths from black lung had declined, but there were still many unresolved issues and unanswered questions with respect to the disease. The Academy charged the U. S. Bureau of Mines to conduct research in order to obtain fundamental knowledge regarding the origin, transport and characteristics of respirable dust. The Bureau established the Generic Mineral Technology Center for Respirable Dust in August 1983 to address such a diversity of topics. The Center was composed of five members - Pennsylvania State University (co-lead), West Virginia University (co-lead), University of Minnesota (associate), Michigan Technological University (associate), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (associate).
Frank Saus, West
Virginia University Director
National Research Center for Coal & Energy
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6064
Morgantown, WV 26506-6064
304/293-2867, ext. 5440
Funding Agency: Former U.S. Bureau of Mines
Funding Amount: WVU portion: $10, 900,000
Funding Dates for West Virginia University Center: 1983-2000