COAL DUST HAS ILL EFFECTS ON THE LUNGS

Antharacosis is an occupational lung disease which occurs due to inhalation of carbon particles or coal dust and ultimately results in fibrosis of lungs which is irreversible . It is also called the black disease of the lungs because the lungs become black in this disease and the affected lung parts stop working . High risk groups involve people working in coal mines and those working along roadside . But now it is getting common in ordinary man due to environmental pollution .

 

CAUSES

Inhalation of coal dust in the coal mines and also the coal particles coming from the car smoke

Disease is more common in smokers

SIGNS

Simple anthracosis

Normally the patient is asymptomatic .

Off and on chest pain  

Difficulty in breathing and cough

Complicated anthracosis

Increasing difficulty in breathing

Worsening cough

Bronchitis

Cyanosis

PREVENTION

Use of mask by coal mine workers , traffic police and road side workers

Decreasing the car smoke

Avoidance of smoking

Regular medical checkup of the coal mine workers