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Coal’s Human Cost

Premieres November 10, 2026

Veteran underground coal miners are suffering from an incurable lung disease at the highest rates in nearly 50 years

Coal’s Human Cost

Veteran underground coal miners are suffering from an incurable lung disease at the highest rates in nearly 50 years. With NPR, Public Health Watch and Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, FRONTLINE investigates how industry and government have failed to protect miners in Appalachia from black lung disease.

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Coal’s Deadly Dust

FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the rise of severe black lung disease among coal miners, and the failure to respond

January 22, 2019

WATCH
Tim Balthis and Frances (Fran) sit on a swing.
article
New Study: Black Lung Disease Rate in Appalachia Is the Worst in Nearly 50 Years as Coal Miner Protections Stall
It’s now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying
August 5, 2026

Related Stories

In Appalachia, Black Lung Rates Rise Among Veteran Coal Miners
In Appalachia, Black Lung Rates Rise Among Veteran Coal Miners
Black lung disease rates among veteran underground coal miners in central Appalachia have risen to levels not seen since the late 1970s, according to new reporting
August 6, 2026
Tim Balthis and Frances (Fran) sit on a swing.
New Study: Black Lung Disease Rate in Appalachia Is the Worst in Nearly 50 Years as Coal Miner Protections Stall
It’s now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying
August 5, 2026
Danny Smith with a tube attached to his nose.
As Coal Miners Suffer and Die From Severe Black Lung, a Proposed Fix May Fall Short
This summer, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a proposed new regulation to limit miners' silica dust exposure after decades of concern over the dust's role in black lung disease. Mine safety advocates worry the proposed rule could
November 7, 2023
Coal Miners To Demand Congress Restore Full Black Lung Benefits Tax
Coal Miners To Demand Congress Restore Full Black Lung Benefits Tax
Dozens of coal miners are expected to press federal regulators and members of Congress to address an epidemic of the advanced stage of black lung disease during a visit to Capitol Hill
July 23, 2019
Regulators Resist Call For Action In Response To Black Lung Epidemic
Regulators Resist Call For Action In Response To Black Lung Epidemic
The nation's top coal mine safety regulator told members of Congress on Thursday that existing safety regulations are sufficient to protect miners from toxic dust, despite calls for change amid an epidemic of advanced black lung disease among coal miners
June 21, 2019
Coal’s Deadly Dust
Coal’s Deadly Dust
FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the rise of severe black lung disease among coal miners, and the failure to respond
January 22, 2019
An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Coal Miners. Regulators Could Have Stopped It.
An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Coal Miners. Regulators Could Have Stopped It.
An NPR/FRONTLINE investigation found thousands of instances in which miners were exposed — not just to coal dust but to dangerous levels of toxic silica dust
December 18, 2018

Related Stories

In Appalachia, Black Lung Rates Rise Among Veteran Coal Miners
In Appalachia, Black Lung Rates Rise Among Veteran Coal Miners
Black lung disease rates among veteran underground coal miners in central Appalachia have risen to levels not seen since the late 1970s, according to new reporting
August 6, 2026
Tim Balthis and Frances (Fran) sit on a swing.
New Study: Black Lung Disease Rate in Appalachia Is the Worst in Nearly 50 Years as Coal Miner Protections Stall
It’s now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying
August 5, 2026
Danny Smith with a tube attached to his nose.
As Coal Miners Suffer and Die From Severe Black Lung, a Proposed Fix May Fall Short
This summer, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a proposed new regulation to limit miners' silica dust exposure after decades of concern over the dust's role in black lung disease. Mine safety advocates worry the proposed rule could
November 7, 2023
Coal Miners To Demand Congress Restore Full Black Lung Benefits Tax
Coal Miners To Demand Congress Restore Full Black Lung Benefits Tax
Dozens of coal miners are expected to press federal regulators and members of Congress to address an epidemic of the advanced stage of black lung disease during a visit to Capitol Hill
July 23, 2019
Regulators Resist Call For Action In Response To Black Lung Epidemic
Regulators Resist Call For Action In Response To Black Lung Epidemic
The nation's top coal mine safety regulator told members of Congress on Thursday that existing safety regulations are sufficient to protect miners from toxic dust, despite calls for change amid an epidemic of advanced black lung disease among coal miners
June 21, 2019
Coal’s Deadly Dust
Coal’s Deadly Dust
FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the rise of severe black lung disease among coal miners, and the failure to respond
January 22, 2019
An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Coal Miners. Regulators Could Have Stopped It.
An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Coal Miners. Regulators Could Have Stopped It.
An NPR/FRONTLINE investigation found thousands of instances in which miners were exposed — not just to coal dust but to dangerous levels of toxic silica dust
December 18, 2018

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