Appalachia's black lung rates highest in nearly 50 years as miners' protections stall

Black lung disease is hitting Appalachian coal miners at its highest rate in nearly fifty years, NPR reports, with thousands sick or dying as protections against toxic silica dust exposure stall. Mining experts point to silica dust — now more prevalent underground — as the driver behind the resurgence. Black lung has no cure, making prevention the only real defense.

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