Black Lung

Hundreds of employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were laid off this week, including researchers that monitor the health of coal miners.

Starting Monday, mining companies across the country are expected to halve the amount of toxic rock dust their workers can be exposed to. It comes amid an epidemic of the deadly black lung disease among coal miners in central Appalachia.

Kentucky first-term congressman Rep. Morgan McGarvey is working with a group of Washington Democrats to make benefits for black lung victims more accessible, but the legislation lacks bipartisan support.

New laws have cemented a tax that pays miners with black lung disease. Miner advocates are celebrating; the coal industry says it's unfair.

The mine safety agency is effectively putting operators on notice, saying it will increase inspections at mines with repeat offenses.

Coleman knew the fine silica dust he breathed every day had something to do with his condition, but he couldn’t prove it—until now.

It’s been almost forty years, but many former miners with the disease are still fighting to maintain funding for the benefits that keep them alive.

Two major funds meant to address those legacy impacts depend almost entirely on the declining revenues of the coal industry and the will of Congress to remain solvent. Now, both are due for renewal, and could be reduced, or even allowed to expire.

Doctors hired by coal companies in black lung cases are far less likely to diagnose the disease in X-rays than are independent doctors or those who are…

A group of Ohio Valley senators says a watchdog agency’s recent report shows that federal regulators must do more to protect coal miners from silica dust,…