Dietary assessment of coal miners in southern Illinois

Abstract

A survey was conducted in southern Illinois with a population of 46 coal miners and ex-coal miners ranging in age from 42 to 86 years. All the subjects were suffering from some degree of respiratory insufficiency. Three 24-hr dietary recalls were obtained from each participant and the mean daily intakes of 11 nutrients and calories were calculated by computer. Selected hematological analyses of blood were performed. Dietary intakes of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were lowest within the population sample. The mean blood values indicative of iron status were within normal range. Physical inactivity among some of the miners accompanied by inadequate calcium intakes could predispose them to calcium-related skeletal infirmities. Inadequate intakes of vitamin A by the majority of subjects were particularly significant in this population. The role of vitamin A in maintaining healthy epithelial tissues is discussed and its possible association with a coal miner's susceptibility to pulmonary complications resulting from chronic exposure to coal dust. The results emphasize the value of assessing the nutritional status of individual coal miners and the need for personal dietary counseling.

Associations between dietary patterns and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk score levels among Chinese coal miners——a cross-sectional study

“…Given the complexity of diet, there may be stronger effects on health of overall diet than any single component [40]. Therefore, research focused on single foods or nutrients related to coal miners’ health is not enough [41, 42], and it is important to study not only individual foods or nutrients, but also the effects of the entire diet [14].…”

Biomarkers of mineral dust induced lung disorders : molecular epidemiologic studies in coal workers

“…A reduced nutrient intake of vitamins (A, C and E) has also been associated with increased risk of progressive lung function loss and airway obstruction [Morabia Coo/ dust induced /un^ disorders.' mechanisms Schwartz and Weiss, 1994;Britton et al, 1995], and dietary vitamin A status has been considered as a "susceptibility" determinant in coal workers [Swartz et al, 1978]. Reduced extracellular GSH content (epithelial lining fluid) has been associated to increased lung fibroblast proliferation [Cantin et al, 1990], and a resulting therapeutic role in lung fibrosis for GSH has been proposed.…”

“…The use of "marker" approaches in occupational lung disease, and more specifically in relation to coal dust exposure is not new. For instance, nutritional status of miners has been considered as a risk factor explaining respiratory disorders in coal miners [Swartz et al, 1978]. In fact, lung function measurements themselves can be considered as important markers and have been used in routine screening of miners for many decades [Attfield and Wagner, 1982].…”