Sunday, April 1, 2018
Occupational Disease: Pneuomoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis is a disease of the lungs due to inhalation of dust. It is characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis. It is basically the lung's reaction to dust. According to the CDC, it is caused by work place exposure and rarely caused by the environment. It is commonly referred to as black lung because coal workers are most likely to get it. The cause is typically asbestos, silica, and coal mine dust. In 1969 passed the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act where there was a huge decline of black lung. The law established the agency of Mine Safety and Health Administration which would hold companies accountable for removing the dangerous dusts from the mines, which is venting the tunnels. Now, in 2017, black lung is hitting faster and more intense than ever before. The newest regulation passed in 2016 setting the lowest dust limits in the world. The only way to solve this problem is by prevention. The MSHA rule reduces how much coal dust miners are exposed to. The National Institute for Safety and Health have a van that has easy ways to do screenings for coal miners.
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I really liked the idea of the mobile screening because it gives more people the convienance to get tested. The article that I found said that black lung disease is making a comeback which is scary and that the coal companies are falsifying their reports during inspections. We need to look for more green energy alternatives.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the only way to deal with this issue is prevention. Unfortunately, with our president trying to bring all of the coal mining jobs back, I fear that there might be a rise in pneumoconiosis. And in order for people to be aware of this disease is by prevention through screenings--as you mentioned. thank you for sharing, Tina.
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