Free confidential black lung screenings available to coal miners in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — Through July 25, all coal miners—whether they’re surface, underground or contractor as well as former or active—can get free, confidential black lung screenings through a mobile unit set up in Morgantown by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

“It’s important for coal miners to get health screenings, so that way they know their particular health status,” Public Health Advisor and Field Outreach Coordinator for the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) Chris Parker said.

Parker said that NIOSH’s mobile unit travels around the country to provide x-rays and spirometry to coal miners, free and confidentially.

“Whether it’s been three years since their last one or twenty years, getting a health screening is valuable as it provides them with knowledge about their health as it pertains to this disease,” Parker continued.

By providing these screenings, Parker said that NIOSH and CWHSP are hoping to make their presence known to coal miners, and that they’re available to offer resources.

The screenings consist of a chest radiograph or x-ray, as well as a spirometry test—which Parker said is a lung function test where patients breathe into a tube. Patients also answer a health/work questionnaire that goes into detail about each miner’s particular potential for exposure.

Miners who participate in these screenings will receive results in eight to ten weeks via letter. If evidence of black lung is found, these miners will also be provided with a Part 90 letter which, if exercised, will allow the miner to be moved to a less dusty area of the mine with legal protections.

“They’ll be able to maintain their rate of pay, their seniority, but it also allows them to get out of the exposure risk, to help reduce that potential for exposure continually,” Parker added.

Parker said that black lung is a “progressive disease,” so it’s important to get these screenings regularly, preferably every three to five years if possible in order to catch it early. “Otherwise, it’ll progress without you knowing,” he added.

These health screenings will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until July 25 at Mylan Park. The mobile unit is set up in the parking lot outside of the Hazel and J.W. Ruby Community Center.

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