title: Respiratory diseases caused by coal mine dust.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an update on respiratory diseases caused by coal mine dust.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article presents the results of a literature review initially performed for an International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease held in summer 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coal mine dust causes a spectrum of lung diseases collectively termed coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD). These include Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis (which can be mistaken for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CMDLD continues to be a problem in the United States, particularly in the central Appalachian region. Treatment of CMDLD is symptomatic. Those with end-stage disease are candidates for lung transplantation. Because CMDLD cannot be cured, prevention is critical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Coal mine dust remains a relevant occupational hazard and miners remain at risk for CMDLD.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, Wyv.
authors.forename: A Scott
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Laney
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Weissman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D055008:Anthracosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D002423:Cause of Death; D003031:Coal; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D003031:Coal; D004391:Dust