Occupational-related disease: pneumoconiosis



Pneumoconiosis is the general term for the inflammation of the lungs caused from inhaling dust particles, such as silica, coal dust or asbestos. Black Lung Disease is caused by the accumulation of coal dust particles, which can turn the lungs black-colored.  Coal dust is made up of carbon-containing particles and coal miners are most at risk of inhaling it. A person may not have any symptoms but some may exhibit signs such as shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness or even hypoxemia (low oxygen blood levels). If exposure is long enough or intense, a person can develop more severe respiratory symptoms. Sometimes coal miners are also exposed to silica or graphite-containing dust, which can lead to similar health issues.

The disease is still common among coal miners, with 10% of workers acquiring the disease if they've worked 25+ years. In some parts of the country such as Kentucky, Virginia and W. Virginia, nearly 20% of workers have the disease, which is the highest recorded in 25 years by NIOSH's Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program.

There have been many attempts to protect workers against exposure, but the most recent ruling was released in August 2016, which included new protections. Some of these include: the allowable limit of coal mine dust lowered for underground and surface coal mines; dust samples required during shifts and if exposures levels are not safe, immediate action must be taken; training is required for people who take samples.


Comments

  1. Caitlin WintonNovember 3, 2018 at 7:54 AM

    Hi Stacey,

    Isn't black lung a very scary disease? I also find it shocking that so many workers still get this disease since it is 100% preventable. It really makes me want to push more toward renewable energy in stead of coal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 6, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    Hi Stacey,

    It is so great to learn that there are new measures taken toward safety of the coal miners. Coal mining industry is such an old industry that I feel like often the old regulations are rooted into the system. Having new regulations that ensure safety of the miner is a monumental. 20% of miners having the disease is crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jordan DemosNovember 13, 2018 at 9:34 AM

    Stacey,

    Isn't Black Lung Disease completely preventable? Are these people not wearing masks or something? I feel sorry for these people in the middle of the country working in dangerous conditions like this. There jobs are being thinned out because coal isn't as much of an energy source as it used to be. Focusing on renewable and safe resources is where the future is headed. Coal mining will be extinct before we know it.

    ReplyDelete

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