Cases of Black Lung Disease, especially in younger miners are currently skyrocketing.

They are contracting more severe forms of the disease earlier in their mining career. That’s why New River Health Association and Cabin Creek and Valley Health are holding a town hall on Thursday, August 15 at New River Convention Center so the miners can learn their rights.

According to the breathing center director, embedded coal and silica dust in lung tissue cause inflammation. That’s what creates scaring and nodules. Symptoms of black lung will present as shortness of breath and coughing.

“Lungs can cause a lot of heart disease,” said Emery. “And so you have these co-morbidities with black lung because it’s going to cause a lot more than just lung disease.”