After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung
1 year, 5 months ago

After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. "That’s just nuts,” said Dr. Carl Werntz, a West Virginia physician who conducts black lung examinations and described cases as “skyrocketing." West Virginia University law professor Pat McGinley, who was part of a state team investigating the 2010 Upper Big Branch mining disaster that killed 29 miners, called the resurgence of black lung “unparalleled” when it comes to occupational health failures. “These are recognized industrial hygiene practices utilized by″ federal regulators in other industries, “but not in mining,″ spokesman Conor Bernstein said, adding that better ventilation controls, safety awareness and regulations on coal dust have all contributed to ”exponentially lower dust levels” inside U.S. mines in recent years. “The history of miner safety and health enforcement teaches us that exceptions become the rule,” said Sam Petsonk, a West Virginia attorney who represented miners who were diagnosed with black lung after operators knowingly violated regulations.

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History of this topic

Shocking new warning over trendy quartz worktop as 18 cases of deadly lung disease emerge - and two die
1 week, 2 days ago

Shocking new warning over trendy quartz worktop as 18 cases of deadly lung disease emerge - and two die

Daily Mail  

A popular type of worktop seen in kitchens up and down the country should be banned due to its deadly effects on lung health, union leaders have demanded. Trendy quartz worktops have been linked to 18 UK cases of a lethal lung disease called artificial stone silicosis, which develops when those manufacturing the worktops breathe in toxic silica dust. It …

​Silica scars: On India’s silicosis problem
1 month ago

​Silica scars: On India’s silicosis problem

The Hindu  

India’s growth aspirations have spurred the national mining industry to extract more minerals for use in construction. Mine workers exposed to silica dust for many years have a heightened risk of developing silicosis, wherein microscopic silica particles are lodged in lung tissue, hampering their normal function. On November 29, the National Green Tribunal directed the Central Pollution Control Board to …

Trendy quartz worktops causing 'epidemic' of disease as dozens more come forward with deadly black lung
1 month, 1 week ago

Trendy quartz worktops causing 'epidemic' of disease as dozens more come forward with deadly black lung

Daily Mail  

Doctors are warning about a 'new and emerging' epidemic driven by stylish and durable quartz countertops. In their study, the scientists found that up to four in five cases of silicosis were missed upon initial examination — with patients instead more likely to be told they had a lung infection. He had spent a decade working with quartz worktops while …

US miners’ union head calls House Republican effort to block silica dust rule an ‘attack’ on workers
6 months, 1 week ago

US miners’ union head calls House Republican effort to block silica dust rule an ‘attack’ on workers

Associated Press  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The head of the national mine workers’ union on Friday condemned what he characterized as an effort by House Republicans to block enforcement of a long-awaited federal rule directed at curbing workers’ exposure to poisonous, deadly rock dust, calling it “a direct attack on the health and safety of coal miners.” United Mine Workers of America International …

Coal miners have long faced risk of black lung disease. Now they’re getting new protections
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Coal miners have long faced risk of black lung disease. Now they’re getting new protections

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Coal miners will be better protected from poisonous silica dust that has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of mine workers from a respiratory ailment commonly known as black lung disease, the Labor Department said Tuesday as it issued a new federal rule on miners’ safety. The increased drilling generates deadly silica dust and has caused severe …

After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung
1 year, 5 months ago

After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung

Associated Press  

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A half-century ago, the nation’s top health experts urged the federal agency in charge of mine safety to adopt strict rules protecting miners from poisonous rock dust. The inaction since — fueled by denials and lobbying from coal and other industries — has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of miners from pneumoconiosis, more commonly known …

After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung
1 year, 5 months ago

After decades of delays and broken promises, coal miners hail rule to slow rise of black lung

LA Times  

Retired coal miner James Bounds, who has pneumoconiosis, more commonly known as black lung, sit at home in Oak Hill, W.Va. A half-century ago, the nation’s top health experts urged the federal agency in charge of mine safety to adopt strict rules protecting miners from poisonous rock dust. “That’s just nuts,” said Dr. Carl Werntz, a West Virginia physician who …

Cases of mine-dust lung disease and silicosis increasingly found in Queensland coal mine workers
4 years, 10 months ago

Cases of mine-dust lung disease and silicosis increasingly found in Queensland coal mine workers

ABC  

The total number of diagnoses of mine-dust lung disease in Queensland has now reached 133 cases since 1984 — up from 102 in February last year. Key points: There have been 56 new cases of mine-dust lung disease reported to the Queensland Government since the start of the 2019 financial year The rise could be due to improved diagnostic and …

Miners at higher risk of lung diseases with no cure for most: Experts
5 years, 3 months ago

Miners at higher risk of lung diseases with no cure for most: Experts

Hindustan Times  

The health hazards of coal mining are many, but lung diseases caused by inhaling coal dust are the most common among miners and people living in the vicinity of mines, experts say. Miners also suffer from a condition called silicosis, which is the buildup of silica in lungs, leading to the scarring of lung tissues,” says Dr GC Khilnani, former …

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