The Labor Department has announced a new federal rule aimed at improving the safety of coal miners by reducing their exposure to crystalline silica dust, a major contributor to black lung disease. The final rule, endorsed by Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, cuts the permissible exposure limit for silica dust by half for an eight-hour shift.
Miners, community advocates, and elected officials from Appalachian states have long advocated for stricter regulations due to the rising health issues faced by miners. The increased drilling in search of coal seams has led to a surge in deadly silica dust exposure, resulting in severe cases of black lung disease even among younger miners.
