Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis: Causes

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This information was reviewed and approved by E Brigitte Gottschall, MD (9/30/2014).

Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (Black Lung disease) is caused by inhaling coal mine dust usually in occupational settings such as surface or underground coal mines. The dust may accumulate in the lungs over time and cause an inflammatory reaction and scarring. The disease may develop and progress while in exposure or after exposure to the coal mine dust has ended.


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