The number of jobs in the coal industry has increased over the last few years, and with it comes an incredible medical risk.
The Findings From This Black Lung Study
Black lung, also known as coal workers' pneumoconiosis, is making a comeback in the United States. A new study has revealed that more than 4,600 coal miners have been diagnosed with the most severe form of black lung, progressive massive fibrosis, since 1970.
The study was published on May 22 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Nearly half of the cases of this form of black lung occurred after 2000. Although improved safety measures, such as dust screens and ventilation, eliminated the disease in the '90s, it is suddenly surging.
"We're seeing a resurgence of a disease that should have been eradicated," said study coauthor Robert Cohen. "We're seeing thousands of cases still in the 21st century."
About 28.4 percent of the new cases of black lung occurred in West Virginia. Looking at the rest of the states, 20.2 percent occurred in Kentucky, 20 percent in Pennsylvania, and 15.3 percent in Virginia. In fact, there were 416 new cases reported in rural Virginia from 2013 to 2017.
Cause Of The Black Lung Increase
Based on the findings, researchers believe that workers today are spending more time in the coal mines than years ago. This, along with the deteriorating conditions of old mines, is wreaking havoc on the lungs of coal miners.
Fewer safety regulations and more heavy machinery are also playing a role.
"The miners affected appear to be working in smaller mines that may have less investment in dust reduction systems," said study coauthor Kirsten Almberg. "Mines today may produce higher levels of crystalline silica, which is more damaging to the lungs than coal dust, during coal extraction."
The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund
Many people suffering from black lung are too sick to work and are inundated with medical bills. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund pays benefits to miners when their coal companies are unable to provide support. Other coal companies contribute to the fund through a tax.
Over 2,600 medical claims were transferred from companies to the fund in 2017. Over 15,000 Americans with black lung depend on the fund to pay for medical support.
However, a report from Reuters found that the fund is at risk of insolvency because of debt and a likely tax break for coal companies. If the situation worsens, taxpayers would have to bail out the coal workers, or they could lose some of their benefits.
