Occupational Diseases: Black Lung Concerns

Although many think of black lung disease as a relic of the past, less safe days of mining, the lung disease remains a problem for both current and former miners. A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study found that younger miners, in their 30s through 50s, are developing rapidly progressive, dehabilitating forms of the disease at a much higher rate than expected.

Renewed Concern Over Black Lung

Connie Cline appears physically healthy; however, black lung prevents him from even walking a block without becoming winded. Cline must regularly check in at the hospital to keep his disease under control. Cline's symptoms began to appear in his early 40s. Black lung, also known as pneumoconiosis, is caused by coal dust trapped in the lungs. "The dust was so thick sometimes you couldn't see your hand in front of you, even with your light," said Cline, of the dangerous dust.