archive
Before Reaching War Zones, Troops Risk Concussions
August 24, 2012 Thousands of U.S. troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Now the military is trying to determine how many soldiers suffer concussions in exercises like hand-to-hand combat training before they ever reach a war zone.
Human Tissue Donation
The Seamy Side Of The Human Tissue Business
July 19, 2012 Body-stealing cases like that of Michael Mastromarino illustrate how an industry built on altruism can fall into the hands of the greedy.
Human Tissue Donation
Am I A Tissue Donor, Too?
July 18, 2012 NPR's Joseph Shapiro knew he had signed up to be an organ donor, but he didn't realize the red heart on his driver's license signifies that he also agreed to donate his tendons, bones, veins and other tissue.
Human Tissue Donation
Little Regulation Poses Problems Tracking Tissue
July 18, 2012 An NPR News investigation has found there's little scrutiny at key points in the tissue donation and transplant process, which could lead to serious medical mistakes.
Human Tissue Donation
Calculating The Value Of Human Tissue Donation
July 17, 2012 Many organ donors are unaware they've also agreed to donate their veins, bones, skin and other tissue, which can be used not only to save a life, but also to help a cosmetic surgery patient. It's a $1 billion a year industry many know little about.
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.
Black Lung Returns To Coal Country
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.
Black Lung Returns To Coal Country
As Mine Protections Fail, Black Lung Cases Surge
July 9, 2012 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 Returns To Coal Country
What Is Black Lung?
July 9, 2012 A definition, cost and explanation of the resurgence of the deadly coal miners' disease.
Black Lung Returns To Coal Country
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.
Black Lung Returns To Coal Country
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
The Two-Way
Mine Safety Questions Linger, One Year After Takeover Of Massey Energy
June 1, 2012 Citations issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) say managers at one mine failed to evacuate a section that was enveloped in thick smoke generated by a malfunctioning conveyor belt. The company disputes that finding.
The Two-Way
Survey Shows Uncertainty In Reporting Suspicious Activity
April 25, 2012 Some respondents said they didn't trust the government, others feared ensnaring an innocent person.
