Coal miners, particularly those in central Appalachia, are more likely than their predecessors to die from pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, according to a recent study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the University of Illinois Chicago.

Researchers used data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Federal Black Lung Program and is described as “the largest existing study on causes of mortality in U.S. coal miners.”

Researchers cite a 2019 government report holding that while the prevalence of CWP declined for several decades in the latter half of the 20th century, PMF had recently been found “at rates not seen since the early 1970s.”

How is Black Lung Disease Diagnosed?
Black lung disease, also known as coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray, and lung function tests.

The diagnosis typically begins with a medical history review, including a detailed account of the individual’s work history and exposure to coal dust. A physical examination is then performed to assess the individual’s breathing and lung function.

A chest x-ray is usually the first imaging test used to diagnose black lung disease. The x-ray can reveal characteristic abnormalities in the lungs, such as the presence of small, round opacities. These opacities are small areas of tissue damage caused by the inhalation of coal dust.

In some cases, a high-resolution CT scan may be ordered to provide a more detailed picture of the lungs. This can help to identify the extent of damage to the lungs and differentiate between black lung disease and other lung conditions.

Lung function tests may also be performed to measure how well the lungs are functioning. This can help assess the disease’s severity and monitor changes over time.

If black lung disease is suspected, further testing may be needed to rule out other potential causes of lung damage. In some cases, a lung biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Claims Management
Per the US Department of Labor, the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, or Federal Black Lung Program, administers claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act.

“The Act provides compensation to coal miners who are totally disabled by pneumoconiosis arising out of coal mine employment, and to survivors of coal miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease. The Act also provides eligible miners with medical coverage for the treatment of lung diseases related to pneumoconiosis.”

References
workcompcentral. (2023, March 28). Coal miners’ black lung disease on rise: Study. Business Insurance. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230328/

Shriver, T. E., & Bodenhamer, A. (2018). The enduring legacy of black lung: environmental health and contested illness in Appalachia. Sociology of health & illness, 40(8), 1361-1375.

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. (n.d.). Black Lung Program. US Department of Labor. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dcmwc