Black Lung Disease All lung diseases associated with chronic overexposure to coal dust Chronic Bronchitis Silicosis Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Chronic disease Fibrosis of the lung Range from simple to progressive disease Coal dust without silica can still be harmful and result in fibrotic lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Progressive massive fibrosis will cause shortness of breath, coughing and pain during breathing, and may result in permanent disability and early death. Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Black Lung Cases 1968 to 1992 January 1992 to June 1997 60,000 workers died of black lung and related complications January 1992 to June 1997 1,914 reported cases of black lung Data from MSHA Part 50 data Source: MSHA Pamphlet: Dust – What you can’t see can hurt you! Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Black Lung Cases by Occupation (January 92 to June 97) NUMBER Laborer/Utility Man/Bullgang 304 Mechanic/Repairman/Helper 183 Roof Bolter/Helper 154 Continuous Miner Operator/Helper 136 Supervisor/Management/Foreman 133 Shuttle Car/Tram Operator 113 Belt/Conveyor Man/Crew 101 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Black Lung Cases by Occupation (January 92 to June 97) NUMBER Electrician/Helper/Wireman 93 Bulldozer/Tractor Operator 59 Truck Driver 56 Scoop Car/Tram/Load Haul Dump Operator 51 Longwall Jacksetter/Swamper/Snaker/ Operator/Helper 35 Other 486 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Federal Black Lung Program Number of beneficiaries and total payments made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Department of Labor (DOL). Social Security had initial responsibility for program. DOL was given responsibility for the program starting July I, 1973. SSA remains responsible for all claims made prior to this date and also all survivor claims associated with these claims. Source: Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, Published 2000 by NIOSH (Publication NO. 2000-105) Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Symptoms Shortness of breath Coughing Pain during breathing Night sweats Weight loss Chest pain Enlarged heart/heart failure May result in permanent disability and early death If miner is removed from exposure to coal dust, lung damage will still occur. There is no cure for CWP. Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Stages of CWP Simple CWP Miner may not seem sick Can still work and do most normal activities Complicated CWP Scar tissue develops Also called progressive massive fibrosis Considered permanent disability Two stages of CWP: Simple CWP: Seen on an X-ray as small spots less than 10 millimeters in diameter. The spots are due to a collection of coal dust around the respiratory bronchioles. With continuing exposure, more dust is deposited and lesions called macules are formed. The macules are actually macrophages loaded with dust. With Simple CWP, the miner may not seem sick. Complicated CWP: If exposure to coal dust continues, scar tissue will form in the lungs. Many of the symptoms listed on previous slide occur. The miner may also die from pneumonia or other infections. Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Number of Deaths, Crude and Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates (1968-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Crude Mortality Rates by State (1987-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Number of Deaths by State (1987-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 States with rates > 10 deaths/million Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Number of Deaths by Age (1987-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Total Deaths = 18,245 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Most Frequently Recorded Occupations (1987-1996) Number Percent Mining Machine Operators 3,811 70.0 Laborers, not construction 172 3.2 Managers/Administrators 73 1.3 Truck Drivers 66 1.2 Janitors/Cleaners 59 1.1 Electricians 55 1.0 Construction Laborers 52 Carpenters 46 0.8 Machine Operators Farmers 45 All other occupations 801 14.7 Occupation not reported 221 4.1 Most frequently recorded occupations on death certificate Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Percentage of Examined Miners with CWP by Tenure in Mining (1970-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

CWP: Estimated Number of Actively Employed Underground Coal Miners and Number Examined (1970-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Number of MSHA and OSHA Inspector Coal Mine Dust Samples and Percent Exceeding the PEL (1970-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Number of MSHA & OSHA Inspector Coal Mine Dust Samples & Average Severity Levels (1970-1996) Source: NIOSH, Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report 1999, 2000-105 Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines

Western Mining Resource Center Colorado School of Mines