Mineral Dust Lung Disease Registry
With the rise in severe black lung disease, including progressive massive fibrosis and rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis, we have established the Mineral Dust Lung Disease Registry. The Registry is a joint research effort by the MinER Center at UIC and National Jewish Health to understand lung diseases from mineral dust exposure, including black lung, silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and COPD. We interview patients with these lung diseases, and obtain permission to evaluate certain medical tests that they have undergone with their health care providers. Through this Registry, we are working to understand how these diseases develop and change over time. With this knowledge, we hope to improve treatment for these diseases and also prevent other people from developing them.