September 5, 2023
More than 50 years ago, West Virginia coal miners captured the nation’s attention when they organized walk outs, rallies, and strikes to call for legislation to provide compensation for black lung disease. That activism in 1969 increased the visibility of the tragedy of black lung disease, and ultimately played a part in Congress passing the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.
That legislation imposed limits on the amount of dust miners could be exposed to. And for a while, black lung rates were on the decline. However, for the last two decades black lung disease has been on the rise in Central Appalachia. Evidence suggests that silica dust is the reason why. To combat the resurgence of black lung disease, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has finally proposed a rule that could reduce coal miners’ exposure to silica.
What is black lung?
Black lung disease, medically referred to as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is a chronic and debilitating respiratory condition that affects coal miners exposed to coal and silica dust. It’s not uncommon for miners with the disease to require an oxygen tank, and some even receive lung transplants. It’s an occupational disease that is supposed to be preventable — if proper precautions are in place and strong dust limits are in effect.
Now it’s estimated that one in five miners with 25 years of experience have black lung in Central Appalachia.
What does silica have to do with the increase in black lung rates?
Silica dust, which is often found in rock dust like sandstone, is 20 times more toxic than coal dust. It’s capable of causing the disease more rapidly, which is one reason why miners in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are getting diagnosed with black lung disease. Silica dust is released when miners cut through rock. In Appalachia, many of the larger coal seams have been mined out. Now, miners have to dig and cut through more rock to get to smaller coal seams, which increases their exposure to silica dust.
It’s long been known that silica is a dangerous and deadly dust. The Hawk’s Nest tunnel disaster in the 1930s in West Virginia led to hundreds of deaths due to silicosis. Despite the evidence that silica is so dangerous, it wasn’t until a few years ago that OSHA lowered the silica exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Unfortunately, coal miners, who are subject to MSHA rules, are still permitted to be exposed to silica dust at a level twice as high as virtually all other occupations.
MSHA’s silica rule
At the end of June, MSHA finally announced a draft rule that miners and black lung advocates have been requesting for years. MSHA has proposed to lower the silica exposure limit to 50 micrograms, bringing it in line with OSHA’s limit that governs other occupations. It would require mine operators to make corrective actions to lower silica levels when they’re known to be high.
Black lung advocates have identified several weaknesses in the rule, however, including:
- An overreliance on mine companies to sample themselves at unclear and infrequent intervals
- Forcing miners to work wearing respirators, which have been known to fail, in hot, clouded and cramped conditions no matter how high the silica levels might be, rather than shutting production down until controls can be implemented
- A lack of monetary fines or penalties when silica exceeds the permissible exposure level and when operators don’t comply with the rules
Combined, these weaknesses and oversights could fail to protect miners from black lung disease.
How you can help
MSHA is accepting comments on the rule until Monday, September 11th, 2023. Appalachian Voices and Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center have a grassroots petition that outlines the concerns mentioned throughout this blog post, including a lack of financial penalties for mine operators and an over-reliance on and unearned trust in operators to sample and report their silica levels accurately.
Due to rising levels of silica dust in mining operations, miners are being diagnosed with deadly #BlackLung disease at younger ages. The proposed new silica safety standards must be stronger! Sign our petition today to help protect miners from black lung!https://t.co/NGZi0OEJ9m pic.twitter.com/lb0SHnq1DD
— Appalachian Voices (@AppVoices) August 28, 2023
You can also learn more by watching this webinar recording: