It’s time for West Virginia leaders to be friends of coal miners, not coal

It’s time for West Virginia leaders to be friends of coal miners, not coal

Exposure to mixed coal mine dust that contains silica — a carcinogen — can lead to the development of pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease. (Getty Images)I’ve always thought the bumper sticker “Friends of Coal” was odd. Why be a friend to a fossil fuel? Especially one that’s caused so much disease, death and destruction in the state. About 20% of coal miners in Central Appalachia are suffering from black lung, according to the Ce…

Coal as an energy source and its impacts on human health

Attempts to secure more energy, food, and infrastructure leave a trail of environmental contamination and human health hazards. Coal is a fossil fuel …

Court Blocks Enforcement of New Silica Dust Protections for Coal Miners - Public Health Watch

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked enforcement of a new rule to limit silica dust exposure for coal and other miners.The rule, from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), was imposed last year in response to an epidemic of severe black lung disease among coal miners. Reporting by NPR, Public Health Watch, and Louisville Public Media documented more than 4,000 cases of advanced black lung that had been previously unreporte…