Coal workers pneumoconiosis

Alternative names:

black lung disease; pneumoconiosis

Definition:

A respiratory disease caused by inhaling coal dust for prolonged periods.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Coal workers pneumoconiosis occurs in two forms: simple and complicated (progressive massive fibrosis). Inhalation of coal dust causes this disease. The simple form is usually not disabling, but the complicated form often is. Smoking does not increase the prevalence of this disease, but may have an additive detrimental effect on lung function. The risk of developing the disease is related to the duration and extent of exposure to the coal dust. Most affected workers are over the age of 50. The incidence is 6 out of 100,000 people.