For the past two decades, there has been a major resurgence in progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), (also known as black lung) among coal miners, leading researchers from National Jewish Health and across the country to examine what job duties might be putting them at risk. Current federal regulations require routine monitoring of dust levels in specific “high risk” jobs in underground coal mines, mainly jobs near the coal seam where coal is mined from surrounding rock. During the study, crystalline silica, a component of coal mine dust, was found in the lungs of coal miners whose jobs had not been targeted for exposure monitoring based on current regulations during their working lives. Silica is a particular concern since it causes severe and irreversible lung scarring.
Get latest articles and stories on Health at LatestLY. The study has found that crystalline silica, a component of coal mine dust, was found in the lungs of coal miners which causes severe and irreversible lung scarring. Health News | Increased Monitoring Needed to Prevent Lung Disease in Coal Miners: Study.
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