The majority of miners in the studies are smokers and all inhale dust and other pollutants in mines.

She finds that the asthma she's had since the age of 5 reduces her lung capacity by 20 per cent when she inhales dust.

Inhaling dust can lead to pulmonary irritation, possibly death.

To minimize risk, owners are advised to spray down debris with water to put out any residual fire and wear closed masks to prevent inhaling dust from debris.