News

Conflicting medical opinions have been found between providers who are hired by the coal companies and those hired by the miners. “We knew [about the potential bias] from our work over the decades taking care of these guys,” said Robert A. Cohen, MD, a pulmonologist and the study’s senior author. “But then you see it with P values that are incredibly statistically significant ...” Read the full article here.

“US mining has enjoyed years of continued improvements with regard to safe operations, with falling fatalities highlighting an industry that is more aware than ever of the risks faced by its employees. Figures from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) show that fatalities at US mining operations have fallen slightly in recent years, from 28 in 2017 to 27 in 2019, and significantly since the turn of the millennium, [...]

The United Mine Workers (UMW) and the United Steelworkers unions have filed a petition asking the US Circuit Court of Appeals at the district of Columbia “for an expedited order against the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.” According to Mining Technology, the petition asserts that the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has failed to issue emergency temporary standards for infectious diseases that would be legally binding on all mine [...]

The National Coalition of Black Lung & Respiratory Disease Clinics’ annual September conference will now be held virtually. Stay tuned for further details!

The Black Lung Center of Excellence is currently working with staff to change the look of our website!

A total of 15 Black Lung Clinic Programs were given funding by HRSA to continue their great work! The total amount awarded is approximately $11.2 million. Our very own program at the University of Illinois – Chicago was one of those who received funding. Click here for more information.

“Concern has been raised that pulmonary function testing could represent a potential avenue for COVID 19 transmission due to the congregation of patients with lung disease and because of the potential for coughing and droplet formation surrounding pulmonary function testing procedures. We recognize that most patients are screened for symptoms and travel before entry into our health care systems, but it is more difficult to screen and assess pulmonary patients [...]

Attached is a recommendation from ERS Group 9.1 (Respiratory function technologists /Scientists) for healthcare professionals performing lung function testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.