Association between duration of coal dust exposure and respiratory impairment in coal miners of West Bengal, India.

. The prevalence and severity of respiratory disorders are very high among coal miners as continuous exposure of workers in such an environment leads to accumulation of dust in the lungs. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of lung function impairment and to determine whether there is any correlation between dust exposure duration and lung function indices.

Combined effect of coal dust exposure and smoking on the prevalence of respiratory impairment among coal miners of West Bengal, India.

Accelerating prevalence of coal workers pneumoconiosis is considered as a serious occupational health problem. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of lung function impairment of underground coal miners in West Bengal, India. A total of 230 underground coal dust-exposed subjects and 130 nonexposed subjects were examined for lung function test and also information on sociodemographic characteristics, addiction, respiratory morbidity, personnel protective equipment and dust exposure were collected.