Anthracosis

/ˌænθrəˈkoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

A lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust over extended periods, leading to black discoloration and scarring of lung tissue.

Etymology

From anthracis (Greek 'coal') + -osis (Greek suffix for disease condition). This medical term emerged in the 1800s as coal mining became widespread.

Kelly Says

Anthracosis is also called 'black lung disease,' and miners' lungs literally turned black from coal dust—it's the reason why coal mining was one of the most dangerous jobs in history, and why respiratory protection matters so much.

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