Occupational Health and Safety in Rare Earth Element Mining, Processing, and Production

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical to defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing, and U.S. mining, processing, and production are projected to expand in response to market demands and national security priorities. These activities present occupational health and safety challenges across the lifecycle that remain incompletely characterized. International operations have documented toxicological and radiological concerns, yet few exposure limits, toxicological benchmarks, or regulatory standards exist to guide safe practices.

This poster presents a narrative review of occupational health and safety information related to REE mining, processing, and production. Available data on hazards, exposure pathways, and regulatory frameworks are synthesized, with emphasis on critical data gaps. The review proposes a framework and key metrics to evaluate risks, prioritizing gaps by factors such as toxicity, production volumes, and exposure potential. Occupational exposure banding and related approaches are highlighted as practical strategies to inform worker protection until comprehensive guidance and standards are established.

C. Boles, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Raleigh, NC, USA
S. Brown, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
M. Henry, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Boulder, CO, USA
S. Dotson, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Cincinnati, OH, USA
J. Sahmel, Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Boulder, CO, USA 

None 

Radiation protection and monitoring

Safety

Toxicology