U.S. to Limit Deadly Mining Dust as Black Lung Resurges

Federal regulators are set to announce new protections for miners against airborne silica dust, a substance known to cause deadly lung ailments. The regulations, recommended by government researchers fifty years ago, will require mining companies to limit concentrations of silica. This will impact over 250,000 miners in industries such as coal extraction, metal mining, and mineral mining. The delayed implementation of these regulations has been costly for miners, with cases of severe black lung disease increasing. While industry groups generally support the reduction of silica dust, there is disagreement over enforcement and cost.