The current numbers are unprecedented by any historical standard, NIOSH epidemiologist Scott Laney said. We had not seen cases of this magnitude ever before in history in central Appalachia.
So this increase can only be the result of overexposures and/or increased toxicity stemming from changes in dust composition, wrote researchers David J. Blackley, Cara N. Halldin and A. Scott Laney.
"I think any reasonable epidemiologist would have to consider this an epidemic," said Scott Laney, a NIOSH epidemiologist. "All cases of [black lung] are preventable in this day and age, but these cases of [the most severe form] are just astounding ... This is a rare disease that should not be occur
Date: Jul 09, 2012
Category: Health
Source: Google
Black Lung Diagnoses in Coal Miners Doubled Over Decade, Report Finds
The investigation, which includes data analyzed by epidemiologist Scott Laney at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, found coal mining companies have systematically exploited coal dust measurement laws, even as regulations increased. The companies routinely deceive federal reg