This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Pneumoconiosis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Pneumoconiosis is a term used to signify the accumulation of dust in the lungs and the reaction of the tissue to its presence. It is now generally restricted to the effects of coal dust and is also known as coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

The particles are approximately 2-5 micrometres in diameter and are retained in the small airways and alveoli of the lung.

The development of pneumoconiosis is directly related to total exposure to coal dust. The highest incidence of this disease is in miners who work at the coal face, especially those who work in poorly ventilated conditions.

Historically, pneumoconiosis occurred in about 12% of all coal miners and in up to 50% of those who mined anthracite for more than 20 years. There has been a dramatic reduction in incidence to about 2 per 1000, due to improved health and safety standards in the coal industry (1).

Reference:

  • Souhami RL, Moxham J (Eds) 2004. Textbook of Medicine. 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.