“Black lung disease,” or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), is an occupational disease which develops from the intake of coal dust. It is one of a number of occupational diseases common in various industries ranging from the asbestos industry through the popcorn industry.
History of the CWP
Mine workers have been subjected to a number of respiratory diseases throughout history. CWP is caused by the inhalation of silica, although similar symptoms are found in heavy tobacco smokers. It is a disease which is the result of the lining of the lungs becoming coated with the coal dust fibers causing difficulties in breathing. In severe cases, CWP can result in death.
Black lung disease was not well understood until the 1950s. It is a disease common among strip miners, although this disease is not confined to workers in that industry alone. It became increasingly prevalent in the post World War II period when increased mechanization of coal mining operations resulted in an increased amount of dust released by the mining operation into the work environment.
United Mine Worker Union Stance
The United Mine Workers Union, under the leadership of John L. Lewis during the 1950s, decided that pursuing the black lung issue was not a viable option at the time. True, new mechanized mining methods produced more dust, but health issues took a back seat to economic issues. The coal industry was experiencing hard times and mining jobs were in decline. Increased production meant higher mine productivity and higher wages.
Coal Miners Health and Safety Act
Following the death of John L. Lewis in 1964, the union no longer objected to the classification of black lung as a disease. The Coal Mine Health and Safety Act (1969) passed by the U.S. Congress set up standards to reduce dust associated with coal mining. The Black Lung Disability Trust was created to provide pension and health care benefits for afflicted miners. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund has distributed over $44 billion to victims and their families.
Following the enactment of the Coal Miners Health and Safety Act, it was the belief that once the disease was understood safety measures would help reduce the number of cases diagnosed.
CWP and its Cost in Human Life
In the years from 1993 through 2003, more than 9,000 deaths were attributed to black lung. The trend of reported deaths seemed to be on the decline. Disturbing statistics have indicated that in the first decade of the 21st century, “black lung” diagnosis and death have increased and not decreased.
Some questions need to be answered. One is whether the mine workers are not taking adequate safety precautions while on the job. A second question might relate to whether this new generation of miners, who began working after the adoption of the Coal Miners Safety Act, is now developing symptoms related to the disease because the regulations did not go far enough to eradicate the risks involved.
In conclusion, countless lives have been lost worldwide because of the risks. Billions of dollars have been spent in the United States alone. Perhaps it would be prudent to allocate some research dollars to developing a solution which may help to eradicate this disease once and for all.
Sources:
“Dunlop, R.G. and Ungar, Laura. Advances offer hope but cost, availability slow use: Some want U.S. to do monitoring” Courier Journal [Louisville, Kentucky] 25 June 2007.
Dunlop, R.G. and Ungar, Laura. “Miners keep dying despite federal laws: Human and financial tolls still high.” Courier Journal [Louisville, Kentucky] 24 June 2007.
Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Black Lung.Health Hazard Information Card HH-39
Tony De Vita - My basic background was in mathematics. Having received a B.S. summa cum laude, from Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. My first job was ...
