Occupational Diseases: Black Lung Remains a Concern in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that coal miners in two West Virginia counties still show signs of "black lung," or pneumoconiosis. 30 out of 328 miners showed evidence of pneumonoconiosis; 11 of them had advanced cases of the disease.

It is discouraging that pneumoconiosis is present. A 1969 law aimed to limit the amount of coal dust in mines by setting a limit on dust per cubic meter of breathable dust. In the report released by the CDC, Dr. V.C. Antao concluded that out of the 11 advanced cases, nice had not worked before the 1969 limit came into effect. In 1995 the 1969 limit was decided to be too high and a lowered limit was set.