pneumoconiosis

The increased drilling generates deadly silica dust and has caused severe forms of pneumoconiosis, better known as black lung disease, even among younger miners, some in their 30s and 40s.

Black lung disease, formally known as pneumoconiosis, is a horrible condition caused by inhaling coal dust.

Silicosis, commonly referred to as black lung, is an occupational pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica dust present in minerals like sandstone.

The inaction since - fueled by denials and lobbying from coal and other industries - has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands of miners from pneumoconiosis, more commonly known as “black lung.”

“Nobody should be dying because of a job they have,” United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts said while talking about premature deaths of thousands from pneumoconiosis, or “ black lung.”