Rates Of Black Lung Double Since 1997, Federal Statistics Reveal

[hatrack]

Black lung disease rates among U.S. coal miners have doubled in the last decade, according to new federal government data released this week.

Occupational safety experts say the figures reveal a troubling reversal from a quarter-century of success in fighting the deadly disease. “I think it’s a very significant concern,” said Dr. Edward L. Petsonk, top black lung researcher at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown.

Earlier this week, Petsonk released NIOSH’s latest black lung study data during the National Coalition of Black Lung Respiratory Disease Clinics meeting in Wheeling.

Ten years ago, about 4 percent of coal miners with 25 or more years of experience showed signs of black lung disease. But new X-ray data from 2005 and 2006 found about 9 percent of miners with 25 or more years working underground showed lung abnormalities that indicate black lung. Rates among miners with 20 to 24 years of experience also increased, from 2.5 percent to about 6 percent, over the same period, according to NIOSH data.

EDIT

http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007091331

[phantom power]

1. easy to guess why: e coli conservatism

[ceile]

2. I read the article

and I still don't understand how the number went up since safety measures were enacted. Were the mine owners not following them? If so, where were the inspectors?
Confusing and tragic.

[hatrack]

3. What are these "mine inspectors" you speak of?

I do not know of them.

[ceile]

4. Exactly. n/t

[katmondoo]

5. One of the first things Bush did in 2001 was to stop

the help miners were getting who had black lung disease. I would guess that since they cannot get any insurance to pay for preventive measures.

[NNadir]

6. Well, it's not quite as bad as the vast nuclear tragedy that wiped out Japan, but

it sounds sort of serious in a "I couldn't care less" sort of way.

K&R.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. Bloody freaking Hell -- there's no excuse for this.

Miners had to fight for years for safety and health protection of even the most minimal sort. Now under Bu**sh** and the corporofascists it's all rolling back. As a grandson, nephew, and cousin (among other things) of coal miners, this PISSES ME OFF.