Is black lung disease fatal?

Is black lung disease fatal?

Roy Artal (Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician) gives expert video advice on: How does coal dust affect the lungs?; How is black lung disease prevented?; How common is black lung disease? and more...

Black lung disease does have the potential to be fatal. There is a continuum of disease associated with black lung disease, so it can range from anything from mild to moderate to, unfortunately, severe. In its severe form, people can be markedly disabled from a pulmonary standpoint. Even simple household activities, such as walking across the room, brushing one's teeth, shampooing one's hair, and so forth can be very difficult activities if you can barely catch your breath.