Laf. Beeckman et al., Rapid declines in FEV1 and subsequent respiratory symptoms, illnesses, andmortality in coal miners in the United States, AM J R CRIT, 163(3), 2001, pp. 633-639
Coal mine dust exposure is associated with accelerated loss of lung functio
n. We assessed long-term health outcomes in two groups of underground coal
miners who during previous mine surveys had shown either high rates of FEV1
decline (cases, n = 310) or relatively stable lung function (referents, n
= 324). Cases and referents were matched initially for age, height, smoking
status, and FEV,. We determined vital status for 561 miners, and obtained
a follow-up questionnaire for 121 cases and 143 referents. Responses on the
follow-up questionnaire were compared with those on the last previous mine
health survey questionnaire. Cases showed a greater incidence of symptoms
than did referents for cough, phlegm production, Grades II and III dyspnea,
and wheezing, and greater incidences than referents of chronic bronchitis
and self-reported asthma and emphysema. More cases than referents (15% vers
us 4%) left mining before retirement because of chest illnesses. After cont
rols were applied for age and smoking, cases had twice the risk of dying of
cardiovascular and nonmalignant respiratory diseases and a 3.2-foId greate
r risk of dying of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than did referents
. Rapid declines in FEV1 experienced by some coal miners are associated wit
h subsequent increases in respiratory symptoms, illnesses, and mortality fr
om cardiovascular and nonmalignant respiratory diseases.