black lung

black lung

n.

Pneumoconiosis caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust. Also called anthracosis.

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black lung

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

black lung - lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust anthracosis, black lung disease, coal miner's lung pneumoconiosis, pneumonoconiosis - chronic respiratory disease caused by inhaling metallic or mineral particles