Epidemiological data on US coal miners' pneumoconiosis, 1960 to 1988

Bibliographic Data

ID11038692
AuthorsM D Attfield (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), Robert M Castellan
Year1992
Volume82
Issue7
Pages964-970
Publication date1992-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.82.7.964
PMID1535182
OpenAlexW2005432258
LanguageIT
Citations received2
References cited12

OBJECTIVES. Statistics on prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working underground coal miners based on epidemiologic data collected between 1960 and 1988 are presented. The main intent was to examine the time-related trend in prevalence, particularly after 1969, when substantially lower dust levels were mandated by federal act. METHODS. Data from studies undertaken between 1960 and 1968 were collected and compared. Information for the period 1969 to 1988 was extracted from a large ongoing national epidemiologic study. Tenure-specific prevalence rates and summary statistics derived from the latter data for four consecutive time intervals within the 19-year period were calculated and compared. RESULTS. The results indicate a reduction in pneumoconiosis over time. The trend is similar to that seen in a large radiologic surveillance program of underground miners operated concurrently. CONCLUSIONS. Although such factors as x-ray reader variation, changes in x-ray standards, and worker self-selection for examination may have influenced the findings to some extent, adjusted summary rates reveal a reduction in prevalence concurrent with reductions in coal mine dust levels mandated by federal act in 1969

Environmental health · Pathology · Pneumoconiosis · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Demography · Epidemiology · Medicine · Occupational and environmental lung diseases · Occupational exposure and asthma

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