A Scott Laney1, Edward L Petsonk, Michael D Attfield. 1. Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Road, Mail Stop HG900.2, Morgantown, W V 26505-2888, USA. alaney@cdc.gov
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological reports since 2000 have documented increased prevalence and rapid progression of pneumoconiosis among underground coal miners in the United States. To investigate a possible role of silica exposure in the increase, we examined chest x-rays (CXRs) for specific abnormalities (r-type small opacities) known to be associated with silicosis lung pathology. METHODS: Underground coal miners are offered CXRs every 5 years. Abnormalities consistent with pneumoconiosis are recorded by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Readers using the International Labour Organization Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses. CXRs from 1980 to 2008 of 90 973 participating miners were studied, focussing on reporting of r-type opacities (small rounded opacities 3-10 mm in diameter). Log binomial regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios adjusted for miner age and profusion category. RESULTS: Among miners from Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, the proportion of radiographs showing r-type opacities increased during the 1990s (prevalence ratio (PR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7) and after 1999 (PR 4.1; 95% CI 3.0 to 5.6), compared to the 1980s (adjusted for profusion category and miner age). The prevalence of progressive massive fibrosis in 2000-2008 was also elevated compared to the 1980s (PR 4.4; 95% CI 3.1 to 6.3) and 1990s (PR 3.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 6.8) in miners from Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of pneumoconiosis over the past decade and the change in the epidemiology and disease profile documented in this and other recent studies imply that US coal miners are being exposed to excessive amounts of respirable crystalline silica.
OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological reports since 2000 have documented increased prevalence and rapid progression of pneumoconiosis among underground coal miners in the United States. To investigate a possible role of silica exposure in the increase, we examined chest x-rays (CXRs) for specific abnormalities (r-type small opacities) known to be associated with silicosis lung pathology. METHODS: Underground coal miners are offered CXRs every 5 years. Abnormalities consistent with pneumoconiosis are recorded by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Readers using the International Labour Organization Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses. CXRs from 1980 to 2008 of 90 973 participating miners were studied, focussing on reporting of r-type opacities (small rounded opacities 3-10 mm in diameter). Log binomial regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios adjusted for miner age and profusion category. RESULTS: Among miners from Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, the proportion of radiographs showing r-type opacities increased during the 1990s (prevalence ratio (PR) 2.5; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7) and after 1999 (PR 4.1; 95% CI 3.0 to 5.6), compared to the 1980s (adjusted for profusion category and miner age). The prevalence of progressive massive fibrosis in 2000-2008 was also elevated compared to the 1980s (PR 4.4; 95% CI 3.1 to 6.3) and 1990s (PR 3.8; 95% CI 2.1 to 6.8) in miners from Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of pneumoconiosis over the past decade and the change in the epidemiology and disease profile documented in this and other recent studies imply that US coal miners are being exposed to excessive amounts of respirable crystalline silica.
Authors: A Scott Laney; Edward L Petsonk; Janet M Hale; Anita L Wolfe; Michael D Attfield Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-03-08 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Robert A Cohen; Edward L Petsonk; Cecile Rose; Byron Young; Michael Regier; Asif Najmuddin; Jerrold L Abraham; Andrew Churg; Francis H Y Green Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2016-03-15 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: Laura E Reynolds; David J Blackley; Jay F Colinet; J Drew Potts; Eileen Storey; Connie Short; Ron Carson; Kathleen A Clark; A Scott Laney; Cara N Halldin Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2018-11 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: David J Blackley; Laura E Reynolds; Connie Short; Ron Carson; Eileen Storey; Cara N Halldin; A Scott Laney Journal: JAMA Date: 2018-02-06 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Brent C Doney; David Blackley; Janet M Hale; Cara Halldin; Laura Kurth; Girija Syamlal; A Scott Laney Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2019-04-29 Impact factor: 2.214