Rescued Chilean miner has serious lung disease

[Judi Lynn]

Rescued Chilean miner has serious lung disease
April 24, 2011 - 6:05AM

.One of the 33 miners rescued from a Chilean mine after being trapped underground for 69 days is suffering from an incurable lung disease that often afflicts mine-workers.

"The tests I had at Chilean Safety Association showed that I have silicosis," Yonni Barrios, 51, told Las Ultimas Noticias newspaper.

"It is normally around this age that silicosis is detected. As it is a progressive illness, I am not sure if I will make it to retirement or if I will die."

Advertisement: Story continues below Barrios has worked for 30 years down the mines, and during the workers' lengthy ordeal at the San Jose mine last year, his knowledge of basic medicine saw him play the role of nurse to the group as they awaited their rescue.

More:
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/rescued-chilean-miner-has-serious-lung-disease-20110424-1dskq.html