The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will offer free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today and Wednesday through its mobile testing unit at Mylan Park, 500 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown.
No appointment is necessary.
The screenings provide early detection of black lung disease, a serious but preventable disease in coal miners caused by breathing coal mine dust. Participation provides coal miners with a free screening and a confidential report on their lung health.
All coal miners — current, former, underground, surface and those under contract — are welcome to participate.
Screenings will take about 15 minutes and will include:
- A work history and respiratory questionnaire
- A chest X-ray
- Blood pressure screening
Each miner will be provided their results which, by law, are confidential. Individual medical information and test results are protected health information and not publicly disclosed.
“Black lung disease can occur in miners who work in mines of all sizes,” said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. “Early detection of black lung disease allows underground, surface and contract miners to take the steps needed to keep it from progressing to severe lung disease.”
NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Find more information about NIOSH at www.cdc.gov/niosh.
