MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Coal worker's pneumoconiosis

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Coal worker's pneumoconiosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Lungs

Coal worker's lungs - chest X-ray

Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II

Coal workers pneumoconiosis - stage II #2

Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated

Coal workers pneumoconiosis, complicated #2

Respiratory system

Alternative names Return to top

Black lung disease; Pneumoconiosis

Definition Return to top

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis is a respiratory disease caused by inhaling coal dust for prolonged periods.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Coal worker's 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.

Symptoms Return to top

Signs and tests Return to top

Treatment Return to top

There is no specific treatment for this disorder other than treatment of complications. Avoidance of further exposure to coal dust is recommended.

Support Groups Return to top

For additional resources, see lung disease support group.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome for the simple form is usually good. However, the complicated form may become a disabling illness.

Complications Return to top

cor pulmonale (failure of the right side of the heart)
pulmonary tuberculosis

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop symptoms of coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

Prevention Return to top

To minimize workers' exposure to coal dust, maximum permitted dust levels should be enforced and workers should wear protective masks.

Update Date: 5/7/2003

Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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