Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Symptoms and Diagnosis

Symptoms of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis

Symptoms of black lung disease can take years to develop. In early stages, the most common symptoms are cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Coughing may bring up black sputum (mucus). These symptoms may initially occur after strenuous activity, but as the disease progresses, they can become present at rest as well. If lung scaring is severe, oxygen may be prevented from easily reaching the blood. This results in low blood oxygen levels which puts stress on other organs, such as the heart and brain, and can cause additional symptoms.

How Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis Is Diagnosed

There is no specific test for black lung disease. If you are concerned about your symptoms, your healthcare provider will first want to know your medical history, asking about your job history in detail to determine the likelihood of exposure. It may be a good idea to prepare the following information before your visit:

• Your symptoms and when they started
• Treatments for the symptoms and how they helped in the past
• The work you have done during your career, the length of time you spent in each job and the nature of the work you performed
• The products you were in contact with at work and whether or not you wore protective equipment
• Smoking history
• Medical records, including chest X-rays, CT scans and lung function tests

Your healthcare provider will also want to perform a physical exam and breathing tests to measure your lungs’ ability to breathe and move oxygen. Imaging tests such as chest X-ray or CT scan may be suggested to look for nodules and swelling. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Acts requires that surveillance programs be offered to all coal miners and include breathing tests and/or chest X-rays every year or periodically to look for irregular areas.