In 1972, the U.S. Public Health Service examined 1438 workers employed at seven bituminous and one anthracite U.S. strip coal mines. One conclusion from the study was that workers without previous dust exposures were not at risk of category 2 or higher pneumoconiosis from their strip coal mining environment. Because of recent concerns for silicosis among strip coal miners, the radiographs were reinterpreted and the data re-evaluated. In addition, data from respirable coal mine dust samples collected from 1972 to 1979 in all surface coal mines were analyzed. The results showed that category 2 or higher pneumoconiosis was prevalent among strip coal miners with experience in an underground coal mine. Among those without underground coal mine experience, category 2 or higher was prevalent among anthracite strip miners, but not among bituminous strip miners. Average respirable coal mine dust exposures in the anthracite mine were less than 1 mg/m3 prior to 1975 and, coupled with the radiographic findings, suggest further study of the efficacy of the 2 mg/m3 U.S. Federal surface coal mine dust standard in anthracite coal mines.

Coal Mining↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chronic respiratory effects of exposure to diesel emissions in coal mines.

A 5-yr prospective design was employed to test the hypothesis that exposure to diesel emissions leads to chronic respiratory effects among underground coal miners. Changes in respiratory function and development of chronic respiratory symptoms were measured during a 5-yr study period (i.e., 1977 to 1982) in 280 diesel-exposed and 838 control miners from Eastern and Western United States underground coal mines. Spirometry measures of respiratory function included forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1.0), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow rate at 50% of FVC (FEF50). Chronic respiratory symptom measures, which included chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and breathlessness, were obtained by questionnaires, as were smoking status and occupational history. Based upon these data, the pattern of evidence did not support the hypothesis either in an age-adjusted comparison of diesel vs. nondiesel miners or in an internal analysis by cumulative years of diesel exposure.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory cancers in mining.

The issue of carcinogenicity among mine workers and among workers in selected nonmining industries is examined. In the late 19th century, a high frequency of lung cancers was noted among metal miners in Bohemia, which probably related to their exposure to radon. Subsequently, other substances, including arsenic, asbestos, chromates, nickel, and chloroethers, have been linked causally to lung cancer. The IARC classification of substances as carcinogens is summarized, and the epidemiologic studies of humans employed in occupations with high rates of lung cancer due to carcinogen exposures are reviewed.

Asbestos↗