Disease and illness in U.S. mining, 1983-2001.
OBJECTIVE
We describe inconsistencies in disease and illness reporting in U.S. mining, identify under-reporting of disease and illness in U.S. mining, and summarize selected disease and illness in U.S. mining from 1983 through 2001.


METHODS
We summarized information on mining-related disease and illness data for the years 1983-2001 from the Mining Safety and Health Administration database (MSHA).


RESULTS
Discrepancies exist in types of information collected by the Centers for Disease and Control, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Mining Safety and Health Administration database. Several factors, including a worker's fear of losing his or her job, health insurance, or other job-related benefits contribute to under-reporting of disease and illness information in the US mining industry.


CONCLUSIONS
Since 1997, both number of workers employed in mining and disease and illness rates have decreased; however, the highest disease and illness rates in mining continue to be coal worker's pneumoconiosis and hearing loss.
Scott
Douglas F
DF
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Spokane Research Laboratory, Mining Injury and Disease Prevention Branch, 315 E. Montgomery Avenue, Spokane, WA 99207, USA. dus3@cdc.gov
Grayson
R Larry
RL
Metz
Edward A
EA
D001194:Asbestos / Q000032:analysis; D003032:Coal Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008906:Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009623:Noise, Occupational; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis; D014896:Welding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D001194:Asbestos; D007854:Lead; D012822:Silicon Dioxide