Open AccessComparative Respiratory Morbidity of Former and Current US Coal Miners
Author(s) -
Cara N. Halldin,
Anita L. Wolfe,
A. Scott Laney
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2015.302897
Subject(s) - pneumoconiosis , medicine , environmental health , coal mining , lung function , coal , confidence interval , respiratory system , chest radiograph , lung , pathology , geography , archaeology
We compared the prevalence of respiratory disease in former and current US coal miners using chest radiographs and lung functions collected from 2009 to 2013 among miners of the Appalachian and Interior US coalfields. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) of pneumoconiosis and impaired lung function. Significantly higher prevalences of pneumoconiosis (PR = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 2.0) and impaired lung function were observed among former miners compared with active miners. Former miners continue to suffer negative health effects from occupational coal mine dust exposure. The respiratory health of active and former miners is a global concern because international coal production is projected to increase for decades to come.