The health screenings will be provided through a NIOSH mobile testing van at convenient community and mine locations in 2010 and 2011. The first visit is scheduled for the Birmingham, Ala., area March 22-April 2. The full itinerary is still being finalized and will include locations throughout the country in which surface mines are located.
“It is critical to detect coal workers’ pneumoconiosis as early as possible, to guide intervention and keep the disease from advancing to stages in which it becomes progressively debilitating and life- threatening,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “The screening offered by NIOSH is designed to serve that purpose. As a source of data through which scientists may identify trends in cases, it is also a vital component of efforts by NIOSH and its partners to protect miners at risk and eliminate coal workers’ pneumoconiosis once and for all.”
NIOSH will provide the health screening for surface coal miners under its Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program. Traditionally, NIOSH has provided the program for health surveillance of underground coal miners. The screening this time for surface coal miners reflects concerns from NIOSH and stakeholders that surface coal miners are also at risk for the occupational disease through exposure to respirable coal mine dust.
The screenings will include a work history questionnaire and a chest x-ray. Blood pressure screening will be offered as well. Typically, the process takes about 15 minutes. NIOSH provides the individual with the results of his or her own screening, but by law each person’s screening remains confidential. No individual information is publicly disclosed, including the names of participating miners.
The prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis among long-term underground miners who participated in chest x-ray screening decreased from the 1970s to the 1990s. However, the rate of disease in underground miners participating in the NIOSH program has recently increased.
The current rate for underground miners participating in the NIOSH program and having tenure in coal mining of at least 25 years is 9 percent nationally, double the rate in 1995. Knowing the frequency of the disease and who may be at risk is important for determining how to prevent new cases. Consequently, information regarding disease in surface coal miners is crucial.
Miners and their families can find additional information about the program at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/surveillance/ORDS/ ecwhsp.html or by calling1-888-480-4042.
NIOSH also offers “Faces of Black Lung,” an educational video in which two miners with CWP share their personal accounts and provide insight on how this disease changed their lives.