The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health B Reader Certification Program-An Update Report (1987 to 2018) and Future Directions.

Objective: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) B Reader Program provides the opportunity for physicians to demonstrate proficiency in the International Labour Office (ILO) system for classifying radiographs of pneumoconioses. We summarize trends in participation and examinee attributes and performance during 1987 to 2018.

Methods: Since 1987, NIOSH has maintained details of examinees and examinations.

Evaluation of high blood pressure and obesity among US coal miners participating in the Enhanced Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program.

Since 2005, the Enhanced Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (ECWHSP) has offered respiratory examinations to coal miners in a mobile examination unit. As little is known about the cardiovascular health of coal miners, we describe the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and obesity among ECWHSP participants. During 2015, 1402 ECWHSP health examinations were performed.

Comparative Respiratory Morbidity of Former and Current US Coal Miners.

We compared the prevalence of respiratory disease in former and current US coal miners using chest radiographs and lung functions collected from 2009 to 2013 among miners of the Appalachian and Interior US coalfields. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) of pneumoconiosis and impaired lung function. Significantly higher prevalences of pneumoconiosis (PR = 1.

Debilitating lung disease among surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure.

Objective: To characterize exposure histories and respiratory disease among surface coal miners identified with progressive massive fibrosis from a 2010 to 2011 pneumoconiosis survey.

Methods: Job history, tenure, and radiograph interpretations were verified. Previous radiographs were reviewed when available.

Lung-function impairment among US underground coal miners, 2005 to 2009: geographic patterns and association with coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Objective: To investigate contemporary geographic distributions of lung-function impairment and radiographic evidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and their associations.

Methods: From 2005 to 2009, 6373 underground coal miners completed a health survey, including spirometry testing and chest radiography. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis were determined by NIOSH B readers, using the International Labour Office classification.