PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Banks, D E
AU  - Bauer, M A
AU  - Castellan, R M
AU  - Lapp, N L
TI  - Silicosis in surface coalmine drillers.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.38.4.275
DP  - 1983 Apr 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 275--278
VI  - 38
IP  - 4
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/38/4/275.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/38/4/275.full
SO  - Thorax1983 Apr 01; 38
AB  - Surface coalminers are generally thought to be at minimal risk of developing pneumoconiosis. Biopsy-proved silicoproteinosis was found in a 34-year-old surface coalmine driller, and two of nine other drill crew members who worked for the same company had chest radiographic findings compatible with simple silicosis. Reanalysis of data from a previous United States Public Health Service survey of surface coalminers, after exclusion of those with underground mining experience, showed that 38% of the cases of pneumoconiosis occurred in drill crew members, a group comprising only 11% of the study population. On the basis of these data surface coalmine drillers appear to have an increased risk of developing occupational lung disease.