Resurgence of Black Lung In Appalachia

                                                         

                                                         by Lachin Hatemi M.D.

Black Lung is an epidemic among coal miners in Appalachia. It shortens the lifespans of coal miners and create significant disability. 

Recent ground-breaking research found that there is a resurgence of  black lung disease among  central Appalachian states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.  

The study found that 16.1 percent of miners with at least 25 years of experience had simple black lung, the initial phase of the disease, and 4.5 percent had progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form.

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration adopted rules beginning in 2014 aimed at providing better protection for miners, including lower limits on respirable dust and tougher dust-sampling requirements.

Members of Congress have also expressed concern about the spike in disease. NIOSH, the Labor Department and the Department of Health and Human Services have responded with pledges to work together to get an accurate count of PMF cases and to assess the impact of more severe cases on the federal Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which provides medical and wage replacement benefits to miners disabled by black lung.