Learn About Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis
Coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a lung disease that results from breathing in dust from coal, graphite, or man-made carbon over a long time.
CWP is also known as black lung disease.
Black lung disease; Pneumoconiosis; Anthracosilicosis
CWP occurs in two forms: simple and complicated (also called progressive massive fibrosis, or PMF).
Your risk for developing CWP depends on how long you have been around coal dust. Most people with this disease are older than 50. Smoking does not increase your risk for developing this disease, but it may have an added harmful effect on the lungs.
If CWP occurs with rheumatoid arthritis, it is called Caplan syndrome.
Symptoms of CWP include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up of black sputum
Treatment may include any of the following, depending on how severe your symptoms are:
- Medicines to keep the airways open and reduce mucus
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to help you learn ways to breathe better
- Oxygen therapy
Robert Cohen is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cohen has been practicing medicine for over 44 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis. His top areas of expertise are Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, and Silicosis.
Leonard Go is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Go has been practicing medicine for over 20 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis. His top areas of expertise are Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, and Neurosarcoidosis.
National Jewish Health
Cecile Rose is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and a Public Health and Preventive Medicine provider in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Rose is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis. Her top areas of expertise are Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis, Silicosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Tissue Biopsy, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Rose is currently accepting new patients.
Ask your provider about treating and managing coal worker's pneumoconiosis. More information and support for people with CWP and their families can be found at:
American Lung Association website: lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/black-lung/treating-and-managing.
The outcome for the simple form is usually good. It rarely causes disability or death. The complicated form may cause shortness of breath that worsens over time.
Complications may include:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cor pulmonale (failure of the right side of the heart)
- Respiratory failure
Contact your provider right away if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, fever, or other signs of a lung infection, especially if you think you have the flu. Since your lungs are already damaged, it's very important to have the infection treated right away. This will prevent breathing problems from becoming severe, as well as further damage to your lungs.
Wear a protective mask when working around coal, graphite, or man-made carbon. Follow directions to prevent high-level exposure. Companies should enforce the maximum permitted dust levels. Avoid smoking.
Published Date: April 10, 2025
Published By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Go LHT, Cohen RA. Pneumoconioses. In: Broaddus VC, King TE, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.
Tarlo SM, Redlich CA. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 81.