Prevalence of Respiratory Disorders and Associated Factors among Coal Mine Workers, Narrative Review
Main Article Content
Keywords
Prevalence of Respiratory Disorders , Associated Factors among Coal Mine Workers
Abstract
The potential of pneumoconiosis was only discussed in the pretext of coal mining, but there is a new spectrum of respiratory diseases affecting coal miners termed as coal mine dust lung disease. In this narrative review, an attempt has been made to understand the prevalence of respiratory disorders among coal miners. A narrative synthesis was undertaken, using thematic analysis to synthesize the findings of the studies included within the review. The final narrative synthesis contains 12 studies. The majority of the studies were conducted in the USA. Among the total sample of 35,480 from 4 articles, a cumulative prevalence of 4.5% was found for Coal workers' pneumoconiosis in the studies conducted in mines of USA. Whereas the study in South Africa revealed a prevalence of 2.59%. The review has found a strong association of years of coal dust exposure with the occurrence of respiratory disorders among coal mine workers. Smoking is also found to be strongly associated with increasing the risk of respiratory disorders. So the review recommends an appropriate workplace culture, including respiratory hygiene, protection and avoiding habits like smoking among coal mine workers. The occupational surveillance for respiratory disorders among the workers needs to be strengthened.
References
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Laney AS, Weissman DN. Respiratory diseases caused by Coal Mine dust. J Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Feb 13];56(Supplement 10):S18–22. Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000260](http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000260)
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Laney AS, Petsonk EL. Small pneumoconiotic opacities on U.S. coal worker surveillance chest radiographs are not predominantly in the upper lung zones. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2024 Feb 13];55(9):793–8. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517570/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517570/)
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Kuempel ED, Wheeler MW, Smith RJ, Vallyathan V, Green FHY. Contributions of dust exposure and cigarette smoking to emphysema severity in coal miners in the United States. Am J Respir Crit Care Med [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2024 Feb 13];180(3):257–64. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19423717/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19423717/)
Modern Coal Miners Have Higher Death Rates From Lung Diseases Than Their Predecessors [Internet]. Cdc.gov. [cited 2024 Feb 23]. Available from: [https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2023/02/27/mining-lung-disease/](https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2023/02/27/mining-lung-disease/)
Parihar YS, Patnaik JP, Nema BK, et al. Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis: a study of prevalence in coal mines of eastern Madhya Pradesh and Orissa states of India. Industrial Health 1997; 35: 467–473. doi:10.2486/indhealth.35.467
Mo J, Wang L, Au W, et al. Prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in China: a systematic analysis of 2001–2011 studies. Int J Hygiene Environ Health 2014; 217: 46–51. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.03.006
The Lancet. Improving occupational health in China. Lancet 2019; 394: 443. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31799-4
Reynolds LE, Blackley DJ, Laney AS, Halldin CN. Respiratory morbidity among U.S. coal miners in states outside of central Appalachia. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];60(6):513–7. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28497853/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28497853/)
Mamuya SHD, Bråtveit M, Mashalla Y, Moen BE. High prevalence of respiratory symptoms among workers in the development section of a manually operated coal mine in a developing country: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2023 Feb 21];7(1):17. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17270039/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17270039/)
Hall NB, Halldin CN, Blackley DJ, Laney AS. Assessment of pneumoconiosis in surface coal miners after implementation of a national radiographic surveillance program, United States, 2014-2019. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Feb 21];63(12):1104–8. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914897/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914897/)
Prasad SK, Singh S, Bose A, Prasad B, Banerjee O, Bhattacharjee A, et al. Association between duration of coal dust exposure and respiratory impairment in coal miners of West Bengal, India. Int J Occup Saf Ergon [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 21];27(3):794–804. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32172683/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32172683/)
Go LHT, Almberg KS, Rose CS, Zell-Baran LM, Harris DA, Tomann M, et al. Prevalence and severity of abnormal lung function among US former coal miners with and without radiographic coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 21];79(8):527–32. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35149597/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35149597/)
Graber JM, Harris G, Almberg KS, Rose CS, Petsonk EL, Cohen RA. Increasing severity of pneumoconiosis among younger former US coal miners working exclusively under modern dust-control regulations. J Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];59(6):e105–11. Available from: [https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2017/06000/Increasing_Severity_of_Pneumoconiosis_Among.18.aspx](https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2017/06000/Increasing_Severity_of_Pneumoconiosis_Among.18.aspx)
Wang M-L. A prospective cohort study among new Chinese coal miners: the early pattern of lung function change. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2024 Feb 13];62(11):800–5. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16234407/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16234407/)
González N, Díaz SL, Wilches MR, Franky MP, Méndez A C, Herrera ADR. Spirometry in a population of coal miners in Paipa, Colombia. Biomedica [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];37(4):498–506. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29373770/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29373770/)
Torres Rey CH, Ibañez Pinilla M, Briceño Ayala L, Checa Guerrero DM, Morgan Torres G, Groot de Restrepo H, et al. Underground coal mining: Relationship between coal dust levels and pneumoconiosis, in two regions of Colombia, 2014. Biomed Res Int [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2024 Jan 29];2015:1–8. Available from: [https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/647878/](https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/647878/)
Blackley DJ, Halldin CN, Wang ML, Laney AS. Small mine size is associated with lung function abnormality and pneumoconiosis among underground coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Jul 25];71(10):690–4. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25052085/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25052085/)
Mahdevari S, Shahriar K. A framework for mitigating respiratory diseases in underground coal mining by emphasizing on precautionary measures. Occup Med Health Aff [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2024 Feb 22];4(3):1–6. Available from: [https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/a-framework-for-mitigating-respiratory-diseases-in-underground-coal-miningby-emphasizing-on-precautionary-measures-2329-6879-1000239.php?aid=75767](https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/a-framework-for-mitigating-respiratory-diseases-in-underground-coal-miningby-emphasizing-on-precautionary-measures-2329-6879-1000239.php?aid=75767)
Naidoo RN, Robins TG, Seixas N, Lalloo U G and Becklake M. Respirable Coal Dust Exposure and Respiratory Symptoms in South-African Coal Miners: A Comparison of Current and Ex-Miners. JOEM[Internet]. 2006 [cited 2024 Oct 10]. 48(6):581-590. Available from: [https://www.jstor.org/stable/44998730](https://www.jstor.org/stable/44998730)
Madureira E, Aboelezz A, Su W-C, Roghanchi P. From dust to disease: A review of Respirable Coal Mine Dust lung deposition and advances in CFD modeling. Minerals (Basel) [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Oct 9];13(10):1311. Available from: [https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/10/1311](https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/10/1311)
Shekarian Y, Rahimi E, Rezaee M, Roghanchi P. A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) in the U.S. mining industry. Int J Coal Sci Technol [Internet]. 2023;10(1). Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40789-023-00586-5](http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40789-023-00586-5)
McBean R, Tatkovic A, Edwards R, Newbigin K. What does coal mine dust lung disease look like? A radiological review following re‐identification in Queensland. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol [Internet]. 2020;64(2):229–35. Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.13007](http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1754-9485.13007)
Laney AS, Weissman DN. Respiratory diseases caused by Coal Mine dust. J Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Feb 13];56(Supplement 10):S18–22. Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000260](http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000260)
Wang H, Ye Q, Chen Y, Li T. Epidemiology of coal miners’ pneumoconiosis and its social determinants: An ecological study from 1949 to 2021 in China. Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine [Internet]. 2023;1(1):46–55. Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pccm.2023.03.002](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pccm.2023.03.002)
Karatela S, Caruana S, Paul G. Prevalence of respiratory disease in the population of Queensland communities in proximity to coal mines and coal mining activities. Int J Community Med Public Health [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Oct 9];9(7):3014. Available from: [https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/9864](https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/9864)
Laney AS, Petsonk EL. Small pneumoconiotic opacities on U.S. coal worker surveillance chest radiographs are not predominantly in the upper lung zones. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2024 Feb 13];55(9):793–8. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517570/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517570/)
Naidoo RN, Robins TG, Murray J. Respiratory outcomes among South African coal miners at autopsy. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2005;48(3):217–24. Available from: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.202076](http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.202076).
Cockcroft A, Wagner JC, Ryder R, Seal RME, Lyons JP, Andersson N. Post-mortem study of emphysema in coalworkers and non-coalworkers. Lancet [Internet]. 1982;320(8298):600–3. Available from: [https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S01406736829067177](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S01406736829067177).
Ruckley VA, Gauld SJ, Chapman JS, Davis JM, Douglas AN, Fernie JM, et al. Emphysema and dust exposure in a group of coal workers. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;129(4):528–32.
Leigh J, Driscoll TR, Cole BD, Beck RW, Hull BP, Yang J. Quantitative relation between emphysema and lung mineral content in coalworkers. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 1994 [cited 2024 Oct 10];51(6):400–7. Available from: [https://oem.bmj.com/content/51/6/400.short](https://oem.bmj.com/content/51/6/400.short)
Kuempel ED, Wheeler MW, Smith RJ, Vallyathan V, Green FHY. Contributions of dust exposure and cigarette smoking to emphysema severity in coal miners in the United States. Am J Respir Crit Care Med [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2024 Feb 13];180(3):257–64. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19423717/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19423717/)
Modern Coal Miners Have Higher Death Rates From Lung Diseases Than Their Predecessors [Internet]. Cdc.gov. [cited 2024 Feb 23]. Available from: [https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2023/02/27/mining-lung-disease/](https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2023/02/27/mining-lung-disease/)
Parihar YS, Patnaik JP, Nema BK, et al. Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis: a study of prevalence in coal mines of eastern Madhya Pradesh and Orissa states of India. Industrial Health 1997; 35: 467–473. doi:10.2486/indhealth.35.467
Mo J, Wang L, Au W, et al. Prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in China: a systematic analysis of 2001–2011 studies. Int J Hygiene Environ Health 2014; 217: 46–51. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.03.006
The Lancet. Improving occupational health in China. Lancet 2019; 394: 443. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31799-4
Reynolds LE, Blackley DJ, Laney AS, Halldin CN. Respiratory morbidity among U.S. coal miners in states outside of central Appalachia. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];60(6):513–7. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28497853/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28497853/)
Mamuya SHD, Bråtveit M, Mashalla Y, Moen BE. High prevalence of respiratory symptoms among workers in the development section of a manually operated coal mine in a developing country: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2023 Feb 21];7(1):17. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17270039/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17270039/)
Hall NB, Halldin CN, Blackley DJ, Laney AS. Assessment of pneumoconiosis in surface coal miners after implementation of a national radiographic surveillance program, United States, 2014-2019. Am J Ind Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Feb 21];63(12):1104–8. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914897/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32914897/)
Prasad SK, Singh S, Bose A, Prasad B, Banerjee O, Bhattacharjee A, et al. Association between duration of coal dust exposure and respiratory impairment in coal miners of West Bengal, India. Int J Occup Saf Ergon [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 21];27(3):794–804. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32172683/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32172683/)
Go LHT, Almberg KS, Rose CS, Zell-Baran LM, Harris DA, Tomann M, et al. Prevalence and severity of abnormal lung function among US former coal miners with and without radiographic coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 21];79(8):527–32. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35149597/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35149597/)
Graber JM, Harris G, Almberg KS, Rose CS, Petsonk EL, Cohen RA. Increasing severity of pneumoconiosis among younger former US coal miners working exclusively under modern dust-control regulations. J Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];59(6):e105–11. Available from: [https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2017/06000/Increasing_Severity_of_Pneumoconiosis_Among.18.aspx](https://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2017/06000/Increasing_Severity_of_Pneumoconiosis_Among.18.aspx)
Wang M-L. A prospective cohort study among new Chinese coal miners: the early pattern of lung function change. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2024 Feb 13];62(11):800–5. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16234407/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16234407/)
González N, Díaz SL, Wilches MR, Franky MP, Méndez A C, Herrera ADR. Spirometry in a population of coal miners in Paipa, Colombia. Biomedica [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2023 Feb 21];37(4):498–506. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29373770/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29373770/)
Torres Rey CH, Ibañez Pinilla M, Briceño Ayala L, Checa Guerrero DM, Morgan Torres G, Groot de Restrepo H, et al. Underground coal mining: Relationship between coal dust levels and pneumoconiosis, in two regions of Colombia, 2014. Biomed Res Int [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2024 Jan 29];2015:1–8. Available from: [https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/647878/](https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/647878/)
Blackley DJ, Halldin CN, Wang ML, Laney AS. Small mine size is associated with lung function abnormality and pneumoconiosis among underground coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2024 Jul 25];71(10):690–4. Available from: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25052085/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25052085/)
Mahdevari S, Shahriar K. A framework for mitigating respiratory diseases in underground coal mining by emphasizing on precautionary measures. Occup Med Health Aff [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2024 Feb 22];4(3):1–6. Available from: [https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/a-framework-for-mitigating-respiratory-diseases-in-underground-coal-miningby-emphasizing-on-precautionary-measures-2329-6879-1000239.php?aid=75767](https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/a-framework-for-mitigating-respiratory-diseases-in-underground-coal-miningby-emphasizing-on-precautionary-measures-2329-6879-1000239.php?aid=75767)
Naidoo RN, Robins TG, Seixas N, Lalloo U G and Becklake M. Respirable Coal Dust Exposure and Respiratory Symptoms in South-African Coal Miners: A Comparison of Current and Ex-Miners. JOEM[Internet]. 2006 [cited 2024 Oct 10]. 48(6):581-590. Available from: [https://www.jstor.org/stable/44998730](https://www.jstor.org/stable/44998730)
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Mar 2, 2026
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Athira , B., Saini, S., & Kalyani, C. V. (2026). Prevalence of Respiratory Disorders and Associated Factors among Coal Mine Workers, Narrative Review. Nigerian Medical Journal, 67(2), 1237. https://doi.org/10.71480/nmj.v67i2.1237
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