Debilitating lung disease among surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure.
Authors
Halldin-CN; Reed-WR; Joy-GJ; Colinet-JF; Rider-JP; Petsonk-EL; Abraham-JL; Wolfe-AL; Storey-E; Laney-AS
Source
J Occup Environ Med 2015 Jan; 57(1):62-67
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize exposure histories and respiratory disease among surface coal miners identified with progressive massive fibrosis from a 2010 to 2011 pneumoconiosis survey. METHODS: Job history, tenure, and radiograph interpretations were verified. Previous radiographs were reviewed when available. Telephone follow-up sought additional work and medical history information. RESULTS: Among eight miners who worked as drill operators or blasters for most of their tenure (median, 35.5 years), two reported poor dust control practices, working in visible dust clouds as recently as 2012. Chest radiographs progressed to progressive massive fibrosis in as few as 11 years. One miner's lung biopsy demonstrated fibrosis and interstitial accumulation of macrophages containing abundant silica, aluminum silicate, and titanium dust particles. CONCLUSIONS: Overexposure to respirable silica resulted in progressive massive fibrosis among current surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure. Inadequate dust control during drilling/blasting is likely an important etiologic factor.
Keywords
Coal-miners; Coal-mining; Coal-dust; Dust-particles; Dust-exposure; Dusts; Exposure-levels; Risk-factors; Fibrosis; Radiographic-analysis; Radiography; Silicates; Silica-dusts; Surface-mining; Surveillance
Contact
Cara N. Halldin, PhD, Surveillance Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, 1095 Willowdale Rd, Mail Stop HG900, Morgantown, WV 26505
CAS No.
7631-86-9; 7440-32-6
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
challdin@cdc.gov
NIOSH Division
DRDS; OMSHR
Source Name
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
