Open AccessPneumoconiosis progression patterns in US coal miner participants of a job transfer programme designed to prevent progression of disease
Author(s) -
Noémi B. Hall,
David J. Blackley,
Cara N. Halldin,
A. Scott Laney
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
occupational and environmental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.458
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1470-7926
pISSN - 1351-0711
DOI - 10.1136/oemed-2019-106307
Subject(s) - pneumoconiosis , medicine , coal mining , coal , chest radiograph , disease , environmental health , physical therapy , surgery , radiography , pathology , engineering , waste management
Pneumoconiosis prevalence and severity among US coal miners has been increasing for the past 20 years. An examination of the current approaches to primary and secondary prevention efforts is warranted. One method of secondary prevention is the Mine Safety and Health Administration-administered part 90 option programme where US coal miners with radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis can exercise their right to be placed in a less dusty area of the mine. This study focuses on characterising the progression of disease among US coal miners who participated in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Programme (CWHSP) and exercised their part 90 job transfer option.