X-ray images of pneumoconiosis among Zigong coal miners working in extra-thin coal seams

During this study, the authors examined the x-ray images of pneumoconiosis among coal miners working in the extra-thin coal seams. The occupational hazards of underpit and on-the-ground operation posts in 15 coal mines were detected, and statistical analysis was conducted on about 672 x-ray images of pneumoconiosis samples. The minimum and maximum content of free silicon dioxide in coal mining, coal roadway driving and coal/rock discharging posts were 5.9% and 58.4%, and the average content is above 10%. The dust in extra-thin coal seams was coal silicon mixing dust. The minimum and maximum consistence of dust in work place were 1.05 mg/m3 and 16.04 mg/m3. The average dust consistence of 104 samples from underpit and on-the-ground workplaces; exceeded current national occupational health standard. Small-round shadow-in lung expression of X-ray images among 672 pneumoconiosis cases was 90.18%. Q-pattern, p-pattern and r-pattern among the small round-shadow-in-lung expression of X-RAY images were 71.12%, 25.41%, 3.47% respectively. The 3rd-level-type of pneumoconiosis was displayed as big shadow in lung. Small shadow distributed in middle lower part of lung among 1st-level-type pneumoconiosis cases was 67.33%; small shadow distributed in upper-middle-lower part of lung among 2nd-level-type pneumoconiosis cases was 95.80%. The big shadow of 3rd-level-type pneumoconiosis was distributed in upper and upper-middle part of lung. The authors concluded that based on the findings, the dust contacted by Zigong coal miners was coal silicon mixing dust. Q-pattern was the majority shape among all X-ray images of pneumoconiosis cases.