Black lung resurges in Appalachian coal country; mining co's not penalized (Ctr for Public Integrity)
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In the 1950s, half of coal miners who worked 25 years contracted black lung, or coal workers pneumoconiosis. A 1969 federal law mandated dust controls in coal mines, and the incidence of black lung declined dramatically. But that was temporary. A new report by the Center for Public Integrity and National Public Radio shows that black lung is back in Appalachia coal mining country, especially the most severe form of the disease, and it's occurring in miners who are younger and younger. The most severe form of coal workers pneumoconiosis is nearly back to its 1970s prevalence. After the Upper Big Branch explosion in West Virginia in April 2010, for example, 17 of the 24 dead miners autopsied had signs of black lung. Some were as young as 25 and several had fewer than 10 years of experience in mines.
Black lung resurges in Appalachian coal country; mining co's not penalized (Ctr for Public Integrity)
Black lung resurges in Appalachian coal…
Black lung resurges in Appalachian coal country; mining co's not penalized (Ctr for Public Integrity)
In the 1950s, half of coal miners who worked 25 years contracted black lung, or coal workers pneumoconiosis. A 1969 federal law mandated dust controls in coal mines, and the incidence of black lung declined dramatically. But that was temporary. A new report by the Center for Public Integrity and National Public Radio shows that black lung is back in Appalachia coal mining country, especially the most severe form of the disease, and it's occurring in miners who are younger and younger. The most severe form of coal workers pneumoconiosis is nearly back to its 1970s prevalence. After the Upper Big Branch explosion in West Virginia in April 2010, for example, 17 of the 24 dead miners autopsied had signs of black lung. Some were as young as 25 and several had fewer than 10 years of experience in mines.