Respiratory disease in miners.

Respiratory diseases in miners were discussed. The historical background of respiratory disease being recognized as an occupational hazard of miners was summarized. Mineral induced pneumoconioses were discussed. Pneumoconiosis is a response to inhaling a wide range of finely divided mineral dusts. The basic mechanism of pneumoconioses such as silicosis and asbestosis involves damage to the alveolar macrophages accompanied by recruitment of polymorphs, lymphocytes, and other free cells, liberation of tissue damaging factors, and initiation of collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. The risks of developing pneumoconiosis have been shown to be related to the miner’s cumulative exposure to respirable dust particles. Preventing pneumoconiosis has been based on controlling dust exposures. Problems with developing hygienic standards for coal, asbestos (1332214), and quartz (14808607) were discussed. Complications of pneumoconioses such as tuberculosis were considered. Lung cancer was discussed with radiation and asbestos described as two factors encountered in mining known to cause respiratory cancer. Alpha radiation emitted by radon daughters has been identified as the major causative factor in radiation induced lung cancer. Among asbestos workers the greatest risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma seems to occur in surface workers exposed to free fibers rather than in miners. The risks seem to be higher in workers exposed to amphibole forms of asbestos such as crocidolite (12001284) and amosite (12172735) rather than those exposed to chrysotile (12001295). Fiber size was considered to be the most important factor in asbestos induced lung cancer rather than a chemical property. Chronic airway diseases were considered. The relationship between dust exposure and chronic airway disease in miners was examined. It was noted that although the link between mine dust exposure and chronic airway disease has been a matter of considerable debate, sufficient evidence exists to indicate that coal miners are at increased risk of developing chronic cough, sputum, and emphysema.