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Post-mortem study of emphysema in coalworkers and non-coalworkers
Lancet (London, England)
|September 11, 1982
Summary
Coal miners have significantly higher rates of emphysema than non-coal miners, even after accounting for age and smoking. Occupational dust exposure is likely the cause of this excess emphysema in coalworkers.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Emphysema is a chronic lung disease.
- Coal mining is a known occupational hazard.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of emphysema in coal miners compared to non-coal miners.
- To determine if occupational dust exposure is linked to emphysema severity.
Main Methods:
- Post-mortem lung examinations were conducted on men aged 50-70 who died of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
- Emphysema was quantified using numerical scales for centrilobular and panacinar types.
- Stratification was used to account for age and smoking habits.
Main Results:
- Emphysema was significantly more frequent in coal miners than in non-coal miners.
- Emphysema severity in coal miners correlated with the amount of dust found in lung foci.
- Selection for necropsy was similar between coal and non-coal worker groups.
Conclusions:
- Coal workers exhibit an excess of emphysema compared to non-coal workers.
- Occupational factors, specifically dust exposure, are likely responsible for the increased emphysema prevalence in coal miners.