Increased demand, longer working hours, and new technology are exposing coal miners to black lung causing dusts at higher rates than in the 60's when regulations were first passed to protect them. The mining industry and their Republican henchmen in Congress are working feverishly to stop Obama from protecting these brave hard-working Americans. We've got to act now!
Production pressure grew with greater demand for coal and higher prices. By 2000, coal production had jumped fivefold from the 1970s. In 2010, it was still triple what it was when the new coal dust limits took effect.
"You can't be exposed to the kind of tonnage that I was and not get black lung disease," McCowan says.
Mining machines also became more powerful and efficient, cutting through coal seams laced with silica-bearing quartz and sandstone, especially in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky.
"In the process, they release more silicon dioxide, and the increase in silica is more toxic than just the coal dust itself," Rasmussen says.
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"Now it feels like I've got a heavy wet sack on each lung," McCowan says, between long, deep breaths. "Breathing has become a conscious effort. ... It seems like I give up a little bit of my world each day, that it gets smaller and smaller."
Meanwhile, Republican coal industry advocates in Congress are blocking Obama's attempts to save the lives of these coal miners, who because of the increased silica dust are often in their 30's now when they're getting black lung disease:
Seldom mentioned by coal industry advocates is a little-noticed move by their allies in Congress to delay -- and potentially end altogether -- another Obama effort, this one aimed at saving the lives of thousands of coal miners... advocates for miners' health are worried the delays will end the rulemaking, especially if President Obama doesn't win re-election in November.
"I'm concerned about whether it will get through or whether it will be watered down," said Dr. Robert Cohen, a Chicago physician and leading expert on black lung.
Call your representatives today and demand that coal miners get the protections they deserve.
The idea that they are more vulnerable to disease today than in 1965 because of corporate greed and congressional obstruction is a crime. It's a crime against everything decent and Americans should be ashamed they're letting it happen just to save a few bucks on their energy bills.