Respiratory function in southern Appalachian coal miners.

Abstract

The results of pulmonary function studies of 368 soft-coal miners from the southern Appalachian coal fields showed no correlation between roentgenographic categories of pneumoconiosis and the results of ventilatory function tests. Impaired oxygen transfer was somewhat greater in subjects with advanced pneumoconiosis (progressive massive fibrosis), although equally severe impairment was found among many miners with simple pneumoconiosis or less definite roentgenographic ab­ normalities. Although cigarette smoking might contribute to both ventilatory insufficiency and impairment of oxygen transfer among soft-coal miners, severe pulmonary insufficiency is not unusual among nonsmoking miners. Disabling respiratory insufficiency occurred in the absence of roentgenographic evidence of progressive massive fibrosis and in the absence of significant ventilatory insufficiency. Impairment of oxygen transfer was commonly associated with disabling symptoms regardless of roentgenograph­ ic findings or ventilatory function.