OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Cases of Black Lung Disease, especially in younger miners are currently skyrocketing.
They are contracting more severe forms of the disease earlier in their mining career. That’s why New River Health Association and Cabin Creek and Valley Health are holding a town hall on Thursday, August 15 at New River Convention Center so the miners can learn their rights.
“Right now the data shows that one in five coal miners are being affected with black lung,” said NRHA Black Lung Clinic Breathing Center Director Lisa Emery. “And those are just the ones being tested — having a higher exposure to silica.”
That’s why MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) recently cut the silica exposure level in half. Longstanding Black Lung Clinics NRH, CCH and VH’s upcoming town hall will be focused on working coal miners’ rights, including their Part 90 transfer rights. A way to slow the progression of the disease and still work is to transfer out of the dust.
“Once the coal miner has a positive x-ray for black lung (also called pneumoconiosis) they can exercise their right to transfer out of the dust with no loss of wages, and they can remain on the same mine site, the same shift,” Emery said. “That’s really important because it’s very hard to support your family if you’re sick.”
According to the breathing center director, embedded coal and silica dust in lung tissue cause inflammation. That’s what creates scaring and nodules. Symptoms of black lung will present as shortness of breath and coughing.
“Lungs can cause a lot of heart disease,” said Emery. “And so you have these co-morbidities with black lung because it’s going to cause a lot more than just lung disease.”
NRH’s Black Lung Clinic performs the coal miner’s pulmonary function testing, x-ray and then talks to the coal miner about their right to file state and federal claims. They can be compensated for their black lung disease and continue to work. And the clinic wants to focus on coal miners’ rights to speak up anonymously.
“Just as important as protecting your health and transferring out of the dust, getting with a buddy and speaking up about things that are going on within their coal mine,” Emery said. “(We) want them to learn that MSHA has a really great Speak up, Save Lives initiative.”
You also have the right to medical monitoring (chest x-ray and breathing test every five years at no cost). The breathing center director says her clinic recommends more frequent screening.
“Like every two years because the sooner we find evidence of Black Lung Disease the sooner you can make a change and transfer out of the dust,” she said. “The most severe forms of the disease are going to require a lung transplant.”
It gives her purpose, Emery says — to wake up every morning and go to work knowing that she’s making a difference.
“It’s truly my honor to help these people,” she said. “I’m excited about helping be their voice, helping educate these coal miners on their rights and ways to protect their health.”
