Coal workers' pneumoconiosis and the compensation dilemma
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a preventable occupational disorder of the respiratory system resulting from exposure to and retention of respirable coal dust. It exists in two distinguishable forms: simple, which is seldom if ever disabling, and complicated, also known as progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), which is sometimes totally disabling and is associated with a high mortality rate. The disease affects a small proportion of active U.S. miners, and only a very small number develop PMF. In its more advanced stages, the disorder is characterized by shortness of breath. Scientific criteria for diagnosis are well established but are not followed in the U.S. because of Federal law and regulation. However, an acceptable scheme for classification of chest radiographs exists. Black lung benefits payable to miners, their survivors and dependents are approaching /2 billion annually, and regulations concerning eligibility for such benefits are intentionally slanted to make it possible for claimants to receive benefits in a manner not consistent with regulations governing similar payments to other occupationally employed persons or in accordance with established medical criteria.
- OSTI ID:
- 5307103
- Journal Information:
- JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Vol. 23:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Pathology standards for coal workers' pneumoconiosis
H. R. 2050: A Bill to permit certain coal miners and their survivors to have their claims reviewed under the Black Lung Benefits Act. Introduced in the House of Representatives, One Hundred Congress, First Session, April 18, 1989
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
COAL MINERS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
DUSTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
WORKMENS COMPENSATION
LEGAL ASPECTS
COAL
DIAGNOSIS
LAWS
LUNGS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
MORTALITY
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PNEUMOCONIOSES
REGULATIONS
BODY
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
DISEASES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HAZARDS
MATERIALS
MINERS
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SAFETY
SURVEILLANCE
552000* - Public Health
551000 - Physiological Systems