Black Lung Returns To Coal Country
An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity found federal regulators and the mining industry are failing to protect miners from the excessive toxic coal mine dust that causes black lung. The disease is now being diagnosed in younger miners and evolving more quickly to complicated stages.
Mark McCowan, 47, was diagnosed with the worst stage of black lung only five years after an X-ray showed he had no sign of the disease.
As Mine Protections Fail, Black Lung Cases Surge
()An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity found federal regulators and the mining industry are failing to protect miners from the excessive toxic coal mine dust that causes black lung. The disease is now being diagnosed in younger miners and evolving more quickly to complicated stages.
Black-Lung Rule Loopholes Leave Miners Vulnerable()
July 10, 2012 An investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity has revealed widespread and persistent gaming of the system that's designed to measure and control the coal mine dust that causes the deadly disease.
What Is Black Lung?()
July 9, 2012 A definition, cost and explanation of the resurgence of the deadly coal miners' disease.
The Picture Show
Documenting 'Dirty' Jobs: Miners At Work()
July 9, 2012 Photographer Earl Dotter has spent more than half of his life documenting workers in the most hazardous conditions.
Black Lung: Why Respirators Are Not A Solution()
July 9, 2012 Breathing devices may seem useful for protecting coal miners from the toxic dust that causes black lung. But federal law does not permit using respirators as a way of complying with dust exposure limits.
Surface Coal Miners At Risk For Black Lung()
July 9, 2012 The deadly disease is no longer just a concern for underground miners. A new study documents severe cases among surface miners, too
Shots - Health News
Doctors Confirm Black Lung In Victims Of Mine Blast()
May 17, 2013 A study of mine blast victims finds further evidence that there's a resurgence of black lung among coal miners. The relatively young ages of some of the miners and their limited tenure underground suggests significant exposure to coal dust.
The Two-Way
Republican Lawmakers Seek To Block Funding On Black Lung Regulation()
July 17, 2012 Language inserted into a broad appropriations bill would block funding for a Labor Department effort to reduce the occurrence of black lung.
The Two-Way
Federal Mine Agency Considering Tougher Response On Black Lung ()
July 13, 2012 The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Labor Department are putting together a team of agency experts and lawyers to consider statutory and regulatory weaknesses detailed by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity this week.
