CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Mining safety was the topic of conversation Wednesday at the Charleston Civic Center.

Federal officials said the state has a lot of work to do when it comes to ensure miners are working in a safe environment.

Mining Safety Health Administration (MSHA) officials said coal miners are inhaling dangerous levels of quartz dust, despite efforts to reduce overall dust levels. The results were released at a mining symposium at the Civic Center.

According to MSHA officials, the dangerous levels of coal dust have been turning up in mines in southern West Virgina and eastern Kentucky.

MSHA director Bob Harman said he is ordering mines with high levels of quartz to rewrite their dust control plans.