Coal workers pneumoconiosis

Trials started per year, stacked by phase (darker = later phase). Source: ClinicalTrials.gov via Clin2, which tracks studies recruiting in recent years — early years undercount.

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis, or black lung, is not curable, and no therapy is proven to reverse or slow the fibrosis. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive: avoiding further dust exposure, using oxygen for low blood oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and bronchodilators. Advanced disease may require lung transplantation, but that does not change the underlying course for most. The overall trajectory of the disease has improved over recent decades in many countries as dust controls have strengthened, though severe cases still occur. Research is limited, with one early-stage trial active, so progress remains slow. Care focuses on maintaining quality of life and managing complications.