• A Scott Laney and David N Weissman.
• From the Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, Wyv.
• J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2014 Oct 1; 56 Suppl 10: S18-22.

ObjectiveTo provide an update on respiratory diseases caused by coal mine dust.MethodsThis article presents the results of a literature review initially performed for an International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease held in summer 2013.ResultsCoal mine dust causes a spectrum of lung diseases collectively termed coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD). These include Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis (which can be mistaken for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CMDLD continues to be a problem in the United States, particularly in the central Appalachian region. Treatment of CMDLD is symptomatic. Those with end-stage disease are candidates for lung transplantation. Because CMDLD cannot be cured, prevention is critical.ConclusionsCoal mine dust remains a relevant occupational hazard and miners remain at risk for CMDLD.

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