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Definition

noun

A type of pneumonoconiosis that involves the repeated inhalation of smoke or coal dust particles, and resulting in overwhelming cellular or immune reaction.

Supplement

The coal workers pneumoconiosis is a more serious condition than anthracosis due to the consequent overwhelming cellular and immune reactions. The complicated form of coal workers pneumonoconiosis results in the progressive pulmonary fibrosis, loss of lung function, and increased susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.

Word origin: anthrac- meaning coal, carbon + -osis, condition.
Related forms: anthracotic (adjective).

Synonyms:

• black lung
• coal miner's lung (or coal miners' lung)
• coal worker's lung (or coal workers' lung)
• coal pneumoconiosis
• colliers lung
• colliers anthracosis
• melanedema (or melanoedema)
• miners lung (or miners' lung)
• miners asthma

See also: pneumomelanosis.

Related terms:

• anthracotic tuberculosis
• pulmonary anthracosis