Category: black lung

Labor Day Message from NIOSH Director, John Howard, MD

More than just a “day off,” Labor Day provides us a moment to pause and reflect on the efforts and sacrifice all men and women across the nation have worked through to keep this country moving, day and night, contributing to the economic and material well-being of its inhabitants. NIOSH’s mission has been and will Read More >

August 31, 2018 by John Howard, MD2 Comments

black lung, Construction, Falls, Observances, Oil and Gas, Opioids, Robotics

Workers Memorial Day 2018: Statement from Dr. John Howard

Every year on April 28th, we observe Workers Memorial Day, remembering those workers who have been killed or injured on the job. This is also an opportunity to reflect on how we, as a federal research institute, and our partners in industry, labor, academia and the safety and health practice community, can contribute to making Read More >

April 27, 2018 by John Howard, MD2 Comments

black lung, Drugs, Fishing, Observances, Opioids

Coming Soon to a Workplace Near You: Field-based respirable crystalline silica monitoring

This week is National Engineers Week which is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) employs over 200 engineers and engineering technicians who identify, evaluate, develop, and implement engineering control technology to Read More >

February 21, 2018 by Emanuele Cauda, PhD; Lauren Chubb, DrPH; and Valerie Coughanour, MA, MFA 1 Comment

Aerosols, black lung, Engineers, Mining, Researcher Spotlights

Continuous Personal Dust Monitor

Until recently, underground coal miners and mine operators had little way of knowing—in real time—if miners were being exposed to hazardous levels of respirable coal dust during their shifts. NIOSH collaborated with an instrument manufacturer, government partners, labor representatives, and coal industry leaders to develop the continuous personal dust monitor (CPDM), a technology that offers Read More >

February 3, 2017 by Steven Mischler, PhD, and Valerie Coughanour, MA, MFA 5 Comments

black lung, Mining, Respiratory Health, Technology, Wearable Technologies

Using Digital Chest Images to Monitor the Health of Coal Miners and Other Workers

Conventional screen-film chest radiographic imaging has been an indispensable tool for monitoring the lung health of miners and other dust-exposed workers. Over the next decade, conventional film-based radiography will be completely replaced by digital radiography systems in the United States and elsewhere. Read More >

June 2, 2009 by Michael Attfield, PhD, and David Weissman, MD15 Comments

black lung, Mining, Respiratory Health, Technology

Faces of Black Lung

Black lung disease, which is caused by inhaling coal mine dust, results in scarring of the lungs and emphysema, shortness of breath, disability, and premature death. While the prevalence of black lung disease had decreased by about 90% from 1969 to 1995 following the enactment of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the downward trend of this disease in coal miners has stopped. Since 1995, the prevalence of black lung cases has more than doubled. Read More >

August 18, 2008 by Administrator8 Comments

black lung, Mining, Respiratory Health, Training

black lung, mining