Federal investigators this month identified the largest cluster of advanced black lung cases ever officially recorded. Healthy lung Simple black lung disease Complicated black lung disease Simple black lung disease Complicated black lung disease Healthy lung Simple black lung disease Complicated black lung disease Healthy lung Healthy lung Simple black lung disease Complicated black lung disease National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthThe cluster, identified following an investigation by National Public Radio, adds to a growing body of evidence that a new black lung epidemic is emerging in central Appalachia, even as the Trump administration begins to review Obama-era coal dust limits. It was equally troubling, he said, that nearly a quarter of the miners with complicated black lung disease had been on the job fewer than 20 years. Researchers note that the true extent of black lung disease among current and former coal miners remains unclear. New Rules for Coal Dust Under ReviewTo combat black lung disease, the Obama administration in 2014 issued a new coal dust rule.

Source: New York Times February 22, 2018 09:56 UTC