black lung

noun

1. pneumoconiosis of coal miners, caused by coal dust; anthracosis.

black lung

noun

1. another name for pneumoconiosis

black lung

1. An occupational disease of coal miners caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust, characterized by the presence of coal around the bronchioles on x-ray images. Most patients develop no symptoms, but a few advance to progressive obstruction of the airways and destruction of lung tissue with accompanying shortness of breath and eventual respiratory disability.

black lung

1. A chronic disease of the lungs caused by inhaling coal dust over long periods. Common among coal miners, black lung is an example of an occupational disease .

Word History and Origins

Origin of black lung¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

He still struggles with black lung disease, she said, and joint pain from time spent crawling underground.

From Los Angeles Times

The increased drilling generates deadly silica dust and has caused severe forms of pneumoconiosis, better known as black lung disease, even among younger miners, some in their 30s and 40s.

From Seattle Times

As progress on the rule stalled, government researchers documented with growing alarm a resurgence of severe black lung afflicting younger coal miners, and studies implicated poorly controlled silica as the likely cause.

From New York Times

Michael and David, who worked at the Haig Colliery in Whitehaven, Cumbria, know many miners who were struck down by black lung.

From BBC

He was a longtime promoter of mine safety and federal benefits and regulations to protect coal miners with black lung disease.

From Seattle Times