Which workers are most at risk for developing black lung disease?

Black lung disease, also known as pneumoconiosis, specifically results from inhaling coal dust. The condition predominantly affects coal miners due to their regular exposure to high levels of coal dust in environments where the coal is extracted from the earth. The disease can lead to serious respiratory issues, causing a significant impact on the health of those who mine coal.

In comparison, while farmers, construction workers, and potters may be exposed to a variety of harmful dusts, their risks do not specifically align with the exposure to coal dust that characterizes black lung disease. Farmers might encounter agricultural dust, construction workers could be exposed to silica or asbestos, and potters may inhale clay dust, but none of these conditions specifically lead to the same disease process as found in coal miners. Therefore, coal miners are clearly identified as the group most at risk for developing black lung disease due to their unique occupational exposure.