title: Debilitating lung disease among surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize exposure histories and respiratory disease among surface coal miners identified with progressive massive fibrosis from a 2010 to 2011 pneumoconiosis survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Job history, tenure, and radiograph interpretations were verified. Previous radiographs were reviewed when available. Telephone follow-up sought additional work and medical history information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among eight miners who worked as drill operators or blasters for most of their tenure (median, 35.5 years), two reported poor dust control practices, working in visible dust clouds as recently as 2012. Chest radiographs progressed to progressive massive fibrosis in as few as 11 years. One miner's lung biopsy demonstrated fibrosis and interstitial accumulation of macrophages containing abundant silica, aluminum silicate, and titanium dust particles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overexposure to respirable silica resulted in progressive massive fibrosis among current surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure. Inadequate dust control during drilling/blasting is likely an important etiologic factor.
authors.affiliation: From the Surveillance Branch (Dr Halldin, Dr Petsonk, Ms Wolfe, Dr Storey, and Dr Laney), Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WVa; Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (Dr Reed, Mr Joy, Mr Colinet, and Mr Rider), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pittsburgh, Penn; and Department of Pathology (Dr Abraham), State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
authors.forename: Cara N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Halldin
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Joy
authors.forename: Jay F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Colinet
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rider
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Petsonk
authors.forename: Jerrold L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Anita L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Storey
authors.forename: A Scott
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Laney
mesh_terms: D000874:Anthracosilicosis / Q000150:complications*; D003032:Coal Mining / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D009790:Occupations; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography