The shortness of breath is obvious.
Whether walking up stairs or attempting to tend a small backyard garden, the wheezing and sometimes gasping for air is evident. The victim is a former coal miner. The problem: Black lung disease.
While most in the coalfields of the two Virginias know it as “black lung,” it’s also called silicosis or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. Its cause is easy to pinpoint: The inhalation of coal dust.
Whatever the name, the outcome is the same. Black lung is a chronic health issue with debilitating symptoms.
Last week, a group of officials and medical experts announced a plan that may help curb the rising number of black lung cases.
“There is a collective agreement that we have to fix this problem,” said Joseph Main, director of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, during a meeting in Beckley last week. Main was speaking to a packed room that included representatives from mining companies, the United Mine Workers of America and former miners suffering from black lung disease.
The plan unveiled last week emphasizes education in its objective of stamping out the disease. It hopes to target information gaps about the disease, according to Main.
“A week-long project called the Dust Sweep will be rolled out in mines across the country, making sure required dust control measures are in place and providing the latest information on black lung,” an Associated Press story reported.
Main said a second part of the plan targets enforcement of existing regulations, and will include mine inspectors looking for shortcomings in dust control.
The final part of the plan involves new federal regulation, but it has not been revealed in its entirety.
The AP reported the new edict “may involve technology that will help miners monitor the amount of dust they’re breathing in the mines.”
There is a chance miners in black lung “hot spots” such as ones noted in West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky could be required to use the devices, according to David Young, president of the Bituminous Coal Operators’ Association.
The length of shifts in underground mines is another issue that could be addressed through regulations.
We are encouraged by the renewed emphasis on protecting our coal miners from black lung disease.
Men and women who work so hard each day to fuel our nation’s energy should not have to suffer the debilitating effects of this horrific illness.
We welcome this new emphasis on education, enforcement and other preventive measures to safeguard the health of our coal miners.
— Bluefield Daily Telegraph
This editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Times West Virginian editorial board.
Opinion
Health of coal miners must be a top priority
- Opinion
-
-
We must never forget sacrifice that protects U.S. freedom
War at its best has birthed and protected our American freedom. War at its worst has separated loved ones and often taken the life of the one serving.
America annually sets aside the last Monday in May as a time of remembrance, memorial and gratitude for these patriots who unselfishly gave the ultimate gift for our freedom. -
Marriage issue: Both sides making political hay
Words can be defined in many ways.
And many times, we define words based on our values, past experiences and opinions.
For example, what does “marriage” mean? -
Three Rivers Festival great event to kick off summer season
Can you believe that the current festival under way at Palatine Park is No. 33 in a long line of events?
The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival is with us once again. -
Excellence the motto at White Hall Elementary
If you want excellence, you must practice excellence. No one rises to low expectations.
It’s a life motto we all should live by. -
Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
Bill Stewart enjoyed the highest of highs during his time as West Virginia University’s head football coach.
Stewart, who died at age 59 on Monday of an apparent heart attack while participating in a golf tournament at Stonewall Resort, coached the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win over heavily favored Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. -
State economy being altered by booming natural gas era
A new horizontal well in Tyler County produced an amazing 7 million cubic feet of natural gas in a single day, along with 650 barrels of valuable liquids: ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
-
‘Operation Blue Haze’ is example of cooperation in war on drugs
Amazing things happen when agencies pool their resources and work together.
And a shining example of that is “Operation Blue Haze,” which targeted street-level, mid-level and upper-level drug dealers and resulted in arrest warrants filed for 53 people on drug, trafficking and weapons charges. -
How can an inmate run for president?
Anyone can grow up to be president.
A boy who lived in a one-room log cabin with his family in Kentucky — Abraham Lincoln. -
County Project Graduation must have support and volunteers
Certainly Fairmont will be having another of its famous all-night student parties following graduation this year.Well, it will, won’t it?We hope so.
-
Exercise control over ballot access to make elections serious business
Elections are serious business.Candidates make their best pitch to voters, who have the power to hire and fire government leaders.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
We must never forget sacrifice that protects U.S. freedom
