Continued Increase in Prevalence of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis in the United States, 1970–2017

Blackley, David J.; Halldin, Cara N.; Laney, A. Scott

doi:10.2105/ajph.2018.304517

Cited by 160 publications

(119 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Subsequently, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (Mine Act) of 1977 created the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which enforces health and safety standards in the mines, including compliance sampling for respirable dust . From the mid‐1970s through the late 1990s, the prevalence of CWP among long‐tenured coal miners decreased from more than 30% to 5%, and the most severe form of CWP, called progressive massive fibrosis, was nearly eradicated . Since that time, there has been a resurgence of CWP, and the prevalence of progressive massive fibrosis in the central Appalachian region has surpassed any historical precedent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respirable coal mine dust in underground mines, United States, 1982‐2017

Doney

Blackley

Hale

et al. 2019

American J Industrial Med

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Background Exposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause pneumoconiosis, an irreversible lung disease that can be debilitating. The mass concentration and quartz mass percent of respirable coal mine dust samples (annually, by occupation, by geographic region) from surface coal mines and surface facilities at U.S. underground mines during 1982‐2017 were summarized. Methods Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) collected and analyzed data for respirable dust and a subset of the samples were analyzed for quartz content. We calculated the respirable dust and quartz concentration geometric mean, arithmetic mean, and percent of samples exceeding the respirable dust permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 2.0 mg/m3, and the average percent of quartz content in samples. Results The geometric mean for 288 705 respirable dust samples was 0.17 mg/m3 with 1.6% of the samples exceeding the 2.0 mg/m3 PEL. Occupation‐specific geometric means for respirable dust in active mining areas were highest among drillers. The geometric mean for respirable dust was higher in central Appalachia compared to the rest of the U.S. The geometric mean for respirable quartz including 54 040 samples was 0.02 mg/m3 with 15.3% of these samples exceeding the applicable standard (PEL or reduced PEL). Occupation‐specific geometric means for respirable quartz were highest among drillers. Conclusion Higher concentrations of respirable dust or quartz in specific coal mining occupations, notably drilling occupations, and in certain U.S. regions, underscores the need for continued surveillance to identify workers at higher risk for pneumoconiosis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respirable coal mine dust in underground mines, United States, 1982‐2017

Doney

Blackley

Hale

et al. 2019

American J Industrial Med

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“…The prevalence and severity of pneumoconiosis in U.S. coal miners have steadily increased in the last two decades . Prevalence of the most severe and debilitating form, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), has reached unprecedented levels, as have the associated consequences including increased lung transplantation and a higher percentage of federal Black Lung benefits claims awarded . A recent study identified a cluster of 416 cases of PMF, primarily among former miners from Virginia or Kentucky, and 10% of these cases were in surface miners .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respirable coal mine dust at surface mines, United States, 1982–2017

Doney

Blackley

Hale

et al. 2019

American J Industrial Med

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Background: Exposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause pneumoconiosis, an irreversible lung disease that can be debilitating. The mass concentration and quartz mass percent of respirable coal mine dust samples (annually, by occupation, by geographic region) from surface coal mines and surface facilities at U.S. underground mines during 1982-2017 were summarized.Methods: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) collected and analyzed data for respirable dust and a subset of the samples were analyzed for quartz content. We calculated the respirable dust and quartz concentration geometric mean, arithmetic mean, and percent of samples exceeding the respirable dust permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 2.0 mg/m3, and the average percent of quartz content in samples. Results:The geometric mean for 288 705 respirable dust samples was 0.17 mg/m 3 with 1.6% of the samples exceeding the 2.0 mg/m 3 PEL. Occupation-specific geometric means for respirable dust in active mining areas were highest among drillers. The geometric mean for respirable dust was higher in central Appalachia compared to the rest of the U.S. The geometric mean for respirable quartz including 54 040 samples was 0.02 mg/m 3 with 15.3% of these samples exceeding the applicable standard (PEL or reduced PEL). Occupation-specific geometric means for respirable quartz were highest among drillers.Conclusion: Higher concentrations of respirable dust or quartz in specific coal mining occupations, notably drilling occupations, and in certain U.S. regions, underscores the need for continued surveillance to identify workers at higher risk for pneumoconiosis.

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“…In China, over half a million silicosis cases were reported between 1991 and 1995, and in excess of 10 000 deaths over three decades from silicosis have been reported in South African miners . Recent outbreaks of pneumoconiosis in the mining sector in the USA and Australia demonstrate that even in developed countries, vigilance needs to be constantly maintained regarding control of dust levels …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 Recent outbreaks of pneumoconiosis in the mining sector in the USA and Australia demonstrate that even in developed countries, vigilance needs to be constantly maintained regarding control of dust levels. 5,6 Silicosis is a fibrotic respiratory disease caused by the inhalation and deposition of respirable crystalline silica (SiO 2 ) (particles <10 μm in diameter). Crystalline silica is the most well studied and thought to be the most toxic; however, amorphous silica may contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis, and nanosilica may cause inflammation and cytotoxicity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silica‐associated lung disease: An old‐world exposure in modern industries

et al. 2019

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Despite silica dust exposure being one of the earliest recognized causes of lung disease, Australia, USA, Israel, Turkey and other countries around the world have recently experienced significant outbreaks of silicosis. These outbreaks have occurred in modern industries such as denim jean production, domestic benchtop fabrication and jewellery polishing, where silica has been introduced without recognition and control of the hazard. Much of our understanding of silica‐related lung disease is derived from traditional occupations such as mining, whereby workers may develop slowly progressive chronic silicosis. However, workers in modern industries are developing acute and accelerated silicosis over a short period of time, due to high‐intensity silica concentrations, oxidative stress from freshly fractured silica and a rapid pro‐inflammatory and pro‐fibrotic response. Appropriate methods of screening and diagnosis remain unclear in these workers, and a significant proportion may go on to develop respiratory failure and death. There are no current effective treatments for silicosis. For those with near fatal respiratory failure, lung transplantation remains the only option. Strategies to reduce high‐intensity silica dust exposure, enforced screening programmes and the identification of new treatments are urgently required.

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Continued Increase in Prevalence of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis in the United States, 1970–2017

Cited by 160 publications

References 5 publications

Respirable coal mine dust in underground mines, United States, 1982‐2017

Respirable coal mine dust in underground mines, United States, 1982‐2017

Respirable coal mine dust at surface mines, United States, 1982–2017

Silica‐associated lung disease: An old‐world exposure in modern industries

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