Pneumoconiosis, Other or Unspecified
This disease category includes pneumoconiosis caused by inhaling other inorganic dusts or unknown agents. Examples include aluminosis, bauxite fibrosis, berylliosis, graphite fibrosis, and others. The number of deaths recorded with unspecified/other pneumoconiosis as an underlying or contributing cause declined sharply after 1972 and ranged between 243 and 395 deaths per year between 1982 and 1999 (Figure 2–186). West Virginia had the highest age-adjusted mortality rate—nearly 20 times the rate of 1.59 per million for the entire United States during 1990–1999 (Figure 2–187). Among industries, coal mining and metal mining had the highest PMRs for unspecified/other pneumoconiosis; and among occupations, mining machine operators had the highest PMR (Figure 2–188).
Magnitude and Trend
How did the pattern of mortality from unspecified/other pneumoconiosis change during 1968–1999?
 | Figure 2-186 Number of deaths of U.S. residents aged 15 or older with unspecified/other pneumoconiosis recorded as an underlying or contributing cause on the death certificate, 1968-1999. The number of unspecified/other pneumoconiosis deaths declined sharply from a high of 1,524 in 1972 to fewer than 400 per year in 1983 and thereafter. The proportion of these deaths in which unspecified/other pneumoconiosis was listed as the underlying cause hovered around 34%. (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
Rates among States
How did the mortality rates for unspecified/other pneumoconiosis differ by State during 1990–1999?
 | Figure 2-187 Age-adjusted mortality rates for unspecified/other pneumoconiosis in U.S. residents aged 15 or older by State, 1990-1999. During 1990-1999, West Virginia had the highest mortality rates for unspecified/other pneumoconiosis-more than 20 times the U.S. rate of 1.59 per million. High rates were observed among other Appalachian and Western mining States, ranging from two to nine times the U.S. rate. (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
Occupation and Industry
Which industries and occupations were associated with unspecified/other pneumoconiosis mortality during 1990–1999?
 | Figure 2-188 PMRs and 95% confidence intervals for unspecified/other pneumoconiosis in U.S. residents aged 15 or older by industry and occupation, adjusted for age, race, and sex, 1990-1999. Coal and metal mining industries were associated with elevated mortality from unspecified/other pneumoconiosis (as these industries were also associated with high CWP mortality). In addition, the glass and glass products industry had a significantly high PMR. Among occupations, mining machine operators and supervisors, extractive occupations were associated with the highest PMRs, followed by welders and cutters and electricians. (Note: This figure presents the highest significant PMRs based on 10 or more deaths.) (Source: NIOSH [2002f].) |
