NIOSH to Offer Free, Confidential Screenings for Coal Miners

©iStockphoto.com/Daniel Froese

NIOSH will offer a series of free, confidential health screenings to coal miners throughout the U.S.,
starting in June. The screenings are intended to provide early detection of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung, a serious but preventable occupational lung disease in coal miners caused by breathing respirable coal mine dust.

Screenings will be held at sites throughout Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, starting the week of June 21 and ending on Aug. 1, 2015. All coal miners (current, former, underground, surface) are welcome.

“Our priority and concern is to protect the health and safety of coal miners which includes a dedicated effort towards early detection,” says NIOSH Director John Howard. “Through this free and confidential program miners can be protected from potential diseases down the line.”

The screening will include a work history questionnaire, a chest radiograph and spirometry testing. Blood pressure screening will be offered as well. NIOSH will provide each individual miner with the results of his/her own screening. By law each person’s results are confidential. No individual information is publicly disclosed.

Additional information is available online. Interested persons can also call the toll free number (888) 480-4042.