The most severe form of black lung disease has been increasing dramatically among coal workers in central Appalachia, a development that could put further strain on federal programs that provide healthcare for retired miners.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health found that the proportion of miners applying for black lung benefits who were diagnosed with progressive massive fibrosis, or PMF, has increased dramatically since 1978, with a significantly accelerated rate of increase since 1996, the university said in a May 22 news release.
PMF is caused by inhaling coal dust and other particulates and causes debilitating symptoms that can be fatal. Reported cases of PMF began declining after the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, which required coal mine operators to control dust levels.
The spike in PMF cases is especially pronounced among younger miners, who could require decades of treatment, the researchers said.
The U.S. government has assumed healthcare liabilities for thousands of retired coal workers who were promised lifelong medical benefits by coal companies that later declared bankruptcy.
The Trump administration said in December 2017 that it was considering changes to a rule implemented under President Barack Obama that would reduce the amount of respirable dust allowed in underground mines, but David Zatezalo, the head of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration said May 22 that the agency would not backpedal on the rule.
"Black lung is not even a disease we should have to put up with in this day and age," he said.
