NIOSH: Coal dust leads to emphysema risk among miners

摘要

Washington - The risk of developing emphysema is "significantly elevated" among coal miners, according to a NIOSH study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (Vol. 180, No. 3).' According to a study abstract, researchers focused on evaluating the relationship between exposure to respirable coal mine dust, cigarette smoke and other factors on emphysema severity. They found that coal dust retained in the lungs was a "significant predicator" of emphysema severity.