Virus Spreading Increases Risks for Black Lung Miners

Virus Spreading Increases Risks for Black Lung Miners
As the Coronavirus spreads in a speeding way around the world, coal miners in USA is warned to face a ‘significant risk’, according to the biggest labor union for U.S. miners.

Mines are enclosed spaces where the highly contagious virus can easily spread, said Phil Smith, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America. The trade group is developing guidelines that it plans to issue to members soon, he said by email Thursday.

Miners also face greater health risks. As many as 20% of long-time miners may have black lung in central Appalachia, a historic bastion of U.S. coal production that includes parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. That would be an underlying health condition that could exacerbate the symptoms of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus that was officially labeled a pandemic on Wednesday.

Overall in the U.S., about 10% of coal miners could have black lung disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The CDC report on black lung studied miners who have worked in the industry for more than 25 years.

Old age adds another risk factor for the Covid-19 virus, said Anna Allen, a West Virginia doctor who cares for black lung patients. While there are no reported cases in West Virginia, the virus has been spreading quickly across the U.S. “Eventually it’s going to come to West Virginia,” said Allen, who’s also an associate professor at West Virginia University’s School of Public Health. (By Will Wade https://www.mining.com/web/black-lung-coal-miners-facing-serious-threat-from-virus-spread/)

Golden Future Enterprise HK Ltd, which has supplying mining industry for more than 12 years has confidence in all people to win the fight against Coronavirus. Now our factory has restored production especially for the miner lamps and explosion proof lights, feel free to contact [email protected] if any business opportunity.