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BLACK LUNG DISEASES
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BLACK LUNG DISEASES
Researchers point out that mine workers suffer from black lung disease also known as workers pneumoconiosis is a disease after long-term exposure to coal dust.Piper, Amanda J., Stephen J. Wort, Elisabetta A. Renzoni, and Vasileios Kouranos. “Year in review 2017: Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and sleep.” Respirology23, no. 4 (2018). Pg. 421-433.
Notably, the disease is common among workers, with long-term exposure to coal. The inhaled coal builds up in the lungs, and since the body system cannot rid the toxins naturally, the dust results in inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs. The severe state of the disease occurs after an individual contract an illness known as anthracosis (ibid). Scholars provide that this condition is usually common among urban dwellers. Black lung disease has no noticeable symptoms, but one could experience a persistent cough and a little shortness of breath. Alike, it is a preventable disease, and it has no cure. Thus, the coal mining organizations ought to establish mitigation measures aimed at averting further damage of the lungs. Besides, there is a need to manage symptoms for the coal miners to improve the quality of life. It is critical to establish the relationship between coal mining and black lung disease.
History of Black Lung Disease
Since the beginning of economic growth and empowerment, people search for employment opportunities that would afford them a meal and a good life. Coal mining is one of the activities that people perform in America with the aim of maintaining their families. Historically, mining remains as one of the lucrative job opportunities in the country. Thereby, most Americans and immigrants from other nations target an employment opportunity at the mines. Despite the benefits that people attained in working at the mines, people had little knowledge on the presence of infections of working in unhealthy conditions.
Researchers claim that coal mining began in the Ostrava region, where archeological research showed that the pre-historic man performed mining activities in the area. Reportedly, the ancient man decided to stay in this area due to the availability of minerals.Petsonk, Edward L., Cecile Rose, and Robert Cohen. “Coal mine dust lung disease. New lessons from an old exposure.” American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 187, no. 11 (2013): 1178-1185.
Currently, miners perform systematic mining and processing of raw materials, which never happened in the pre-historic era. Coal mining emerged as an alternative source of energy in place of wood. People preferred coal as a source of energy at the onset of the industrial revolution. Researchers first experimented with the use of coal as an alternative source of energy in England in the 17th Century (ibid). Nonetheless, meaningful mining never occurred until the 19th Century. In the United States, coal mining began in Virginia. Specifically, miners investigated the presence of coal in the Richmond Basin. Alexander Hamilton is one of the pioneers, who advocated for coal as a source of energy that would spearhead economic growth and development. Slaves in America provided cheap labor. They exploited the coal fields, but lack of an efficient transport system limited the full utilization of coal.
In Pennsylvania, miners showed immense interest in extracting carbon from coal on an industrial scale. The idea leads to the provision of a source of heat for the residents of Philadelphia and the northern cities. In the early 1840s, coal became the main source of energy in the Eastern side of US. In the 19th Century, the coal industry gained prominence, as miners produced millions of tons of coal. During this period, a skilled miner employed other miners to extract coal from the hillsides and the riverbanks. Besides, labor relations were not an important issue, as miners had just begun to realize the financial benefits of coal. Similarly, no miner complained about respiratory disease. Seemingly, the continuous exposure led to the realization of infections towards the beginning of the 20th Century.
In the late 1900s, doctors became aware of the existence of occupation disease. They were aware that coal miners, stonemasons, grinders, and quarrymen could be at risk of respiratory diseases. Aberle, Denise R., Sarah DeMello, Christine D. Berg, William C. Black, Brenda Brewer, Timothy R. Church, Kathy L. Clingan et al. “Results of the two incidence screenings in the National Lung Screening Trial.” New England Journal of Medicine 369, no. 10 (2013): 920-931.
During this period, employers paid little attention to the health and welfare of their workers. As a result, most people succumb to diseases related to their occupation. The trend attracted the attention of researchers, who sought to establish the impact of occupation disease, and the employer response to the issue. After heated debates on the health and conditions of workers in the mines, the criminal justice systems on various countries advocated for compensation plans for workers affected by the conditions of their workplace.
In 1970, there was a substantial rise in the number of workers, who suffered from lung infections. Doctors provided that most of them suffered from fibrosis though most miners had utilized dust control measures. Scientists claimed that most of the mines in the US failed to utilize dust-reduction mechanisms that would have prevented infections among workers. Alike, miners work for long hours in a week due to the abundance of coal. Recently, coal miners have closed at an unprecedented rate, as more people are reported dead from black lung cancer. Besides, most coal mines lack adequate facilities for protecting miners from exposure to coal dust.
Recent research from the department of labor indicated that more miners applied for compensation since 1970 under the Black Lung Program. Thus, this means that more people have suffered from black lung disease since the practice became a profitable business in the country. Equally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health provided shocking findings that indicated that more miners continue to succumb to black lung disease since the year 2000. The Black Lung clinics also report an increasing trend in the number of patients into the facility. A diagnosis of the disease in the various mines in the US showed that 28% of the miners in West Virginia, 20% in Kentucky, 20% in Pennsylvania, and 15% of those Virginia suffer from black lung disease. Laney, A. Scott, and David N. Weissman. “Respiratory diseases caused by coal mine dust.” Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 56, no. 0 10 (2014): S18.
The information is alarming as it indicates that more miners continue to work in unfavorable conditions in the major mines in the country. The statistics also confirm that most miners have little information on the impact of exposure to coal dust, and the significance of working in shifts. Seemingly, most miners take longer shifts with the aim of making more money, while they ignore the importance of their health.
Doctors confirm that the longer an individual becomes exposed to dust, the more he/she stands a greater risk of chest infections. Specifically, miners who have worked for more than ten years are at a higher risk of becoming ill. Researchers suggest that there is a need for more studies that would inform on the best strategies for implementing primary strategies for reducing the impact of coal dust on the miners. The research findings would also inform on the viability of utilizing secondary prevention methods like medical surveillance that would help in the early identification of the disease among workers.
Government and Agency Involvement in Debates on Black Lung Disease
The Black Lung Center of Excellence is an organization that advocates for the prevention of the disease among coal miner. Apart from creating awareness on the dangers of lengthy exposure of lung disease among workers, the organization addresses the need for resources that would promote healthy living among miners, who have little information on the impact of coal dust to their health. The officials from this organization pay visits to the mines, and inform them on awareness strategies while conducting free screening and diagnosis of the disease. Often, miners remain unaware of the changing patterns in and the impact of coal dust, especially when they become undiagnosed. 5. Smith, Evan Barret. “Black Lung in the 21st Century: Disease, Law, and Policy.” W. Va. L.
Rev. 120 (2017): 797.
The organization also provides appropriate advice to the government agencies and other non-governmental organizations on the strategies of helping coal miners in the prevention of black lung disease.
Subsequently, the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation also knowns as the Federal Black Lung Program is a government initiative aimed at ensuring that miners are protected under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The government established this law after a realization that more miners are suffering from the disease. The Act ensures that these employees are compensated. Alike, the benefits take care of people, who lost their loved ones to pneumoconiosis. Apart from financial benefits, the miner access medical treatment and coverage for free. The government developed Black Lung Clinic Programs that are aimed at enhancing public participation in discussing health issues related to black lung disease. The clinic sessions ensure that miners access knowledge on how to work and protect themselves while at work. The outreach programs also provide important information to people, who would like to work as miners, and this strategy is likely to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the future. The program also entails an investigation and auditing of the mines to establish the working conditions and promotion of health among miner. Apart from working with the miners, the clinic also provides education to the family members by offering health education and provide important information on how to promote health living. For example, the organization urges miner to avoid smoking, as the behavior could exacerbate the black lung disease.
The government continues to conduct thorough investigations on the safety of the mines by conducting frequent audits and examination of employees. Recently, some of the mines were closed, as they failed to meet the requirements of the mining Act.6. Smith, Evan Barret. “Black Lung in the 21st Century: Disease, Law, and Policy.” W. Va. L.
Rev. 120 (2017): 797.
Besides, most of the miners succumb to black lung disease due to lack of protection of workers at the mines. Recently, the government has played an important role in ensuring that miners access the right to work in a healthy environment. Initially, most mines lacked the protective equipment for work, while others worked long hours. The closure of these mines sends a message to the public that about advocacy for better working conditions for people working in the coal mines.
Differences and Similarities of the organizations
The federal government programs and other non-profit organizations like Black Lung Clinic Programs, have a similar objective of ensuring that miners work in a healthy environment. Coal mining entails working in an area with a lot of dust that easily rests on one’s lungs. The implication is that one suffers acute respiratory problems. The human body cannot remove the impurities in the lungs, and this causes the black lung disease. Both organizations work towards sensitizing the workers to fight for their rights. Besides, they both ensure that the employer provides with adequate guidelines on prevention strategies for black lung disease among employees. For instance, the Black Lung Clinic not only assesses miners but also sensitizes them on best strategies for working in the mines. Equally, the government performs frequent inspections to determine whether the miner works in a healthy environment. Coal mining requires short shifts, as long hours could expose one to coal dust, which causes black lung disease.
Apart from protecting the rights of coal miners, the government and other organizations push for implementation of laws that support protection of workers. For instance, the law is clear about how an employee could be compensated in case of any crisis at the mines. Particularly, the department of labor has a well-stated provision on compensation when one falls sick or dies due to black lung disease. The values for the federal government and the non-governmental organizations purpose to create awareness among the public on prevention strategies for black lung disease. The members of the public have the right to information on issues that are likely to affect them.
The difference in the organizations is that the federal government passes laws that concern all people in America, whereas the Division of Coal Miners is in charge of ensuring that employers pay their employees their dues on time, and compensate for any damages caused. 7. Smith, Evan Barret. “Black Lung in the 21st Century: Disease, Law, and Policy.” W. Va. L.
Rev. 120 (2017): 797.
The organization works with the government in promoting access to care among mining workers. On the other hand, the Black Lung Center for Excellence watches over the governmental activities and holding the government accountable for employee welfare. The organization advocates for fair treatment for employees working in the coal mines but helping them obtain compensation for diseases contracted during work. The organization partners with other interested companies like the Federal Office for Rural Health Policy to work with coal miners to educate them on working at the mines. The organization also asses and diagnoses miners and help them live with the condition. Alike, they ensure that miners learn how to protect themselves from long exposure to coal dust through training on how to utilize preventive gear while at work.
Disciplines Associated with each Organization
The Federal Office for Rural Health Policy is concerned with the discipline of economics. The government utilizes the principles of economics in decision-making processes regarding the attendance of issues regarding people working in the coal mines. The government must develop laws and measures that apply to labor laws. The government utilizes the aspects of demand and supply for advice on the number of people needed to work at the mines. Since black lung disease is preventable, the government must develop better techniques of allocating shifts to employees to avoid lengthy exposure to coal dust. The knowledge on economics ensures that the government taxes citizen fairly, and allocate a fair amount of resources to the workers in the mines. Alike, the government officials ensure that they set aside funds for compensating employees in the event of occupation hazards. From the historical overview, doctors discovered black lung disease after coal mining took prominence in the 20th Century. 8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. “Pneumoconiosis and advanced occupational lung disease among surface coal miners–16 states, 2010-2011.” MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report 61, no. 23 (2012): 431.
Additionally, the government uses economics in the analysis of the number of people, who work at the mines. It is critical to know the number of people working at the mine, to plan and establish an amicable working strategy. The government uses the concepts of economics in decision making and implementation of programs concerning welfare.
The Black Lung Center for Excellence utilizes the concepts of public health. Public health concerns community partnerships that are aimed at identifying and solving problems that affect the community. In this regard, the organization partnered with the government in solving issues that affect coal miner. The main objective of this center is to ensure that the government provides adequate resources that are used to compensate employees who face problems while in the line of duty. Statistics show that more miners applied for compensation since 2006. Thus, the knowledge on the rights of people ensures that the Black Lunch Center for Excellence remains to hold the government responsible for paying the people their dues. Besides, the role of public health is to ensure that an organization diagnoses and investigates health problems and hazards that affect the community. The Black Lunch Center for Excellence noticed that there is a need to educate miners on the appropriate strategies that they could use to prevent infections associated with working in the mines. The infection rate would reduce the number of workers by a huge number, and this would slow down the process of economic growth in the US. Public health also entails monitoring the status of community health problems. Black Lunch Center for Excellence noted that more miners succumbed to respiratory diseases.
Critical Perspective on Black Lung Disease
Black lung disease is one of the emerging conditions related to the continuous exposure to coal dust. Besides, the situation could worsen if an individual smokes or suffers from other respiratory complications. For this reason, it is critical that one undergoes screening to determine the condition of the respiratory system. The disease not only impacts the economic condition of America but also social aspects in the community. Specifically, the condition impacts the environmental health of the Americans, as it forces institutions to respond to matters related to the welfare of the miners. People find it hard to accept that they could be suffering from black lung disease, due to the discriminatory conditions of the workplace. Most of the people could feel stigmatized after learning about their condition. For this reason, it is critical to invite the services of a social worker, who could help convince miners on undertaking screening services. The strategy would ensure that people learn about their health condition and take necessary measures of preventing infections in the future. Since black lung disease has no cure, it is important to invest in preventative measures. 9. Wade, W. Alex, Edward L. Petsonk, Byron Young, and Idrees Mogri. “Severe occupational pneumoconiosis among West Virginian coal miners: one hundred thirty-eight cases of progressive massive fibrosis compensated between 2000 and 2009.” Chest 139, no. 6 (2011): 1458-1462.
Thus, the government should take an active role in convincing the members of the public on the importance of investing in prevention measures for coal miners. The citizens would understand and agree on paying more taxes to budget for such cases.
Black Lung Disease and Environmental Health
Researchers claim that the last the prevalence of black lung disease shows an increasing trend over the past 20 years. Though there is evidence of an increase in the number of people, who suffer from the disease, it is evident that there are cases that remain unreported. It is important to note that most miners ignore the fact that they could be suffering from black lung disease, as most of them would mistake it for flue and any other respiratory conditions. Additionally, it is possible that employees may not prefer to undergo screening due to discrimination at the work place associated with the diagnosis of black lung disease. Moreover, the black lung disease influences the manner in which people perceive the political ecology of health. People often claim that the environment in which an individual works impacts his/her health. Researchers also claim that communities are endowed differently and that people would choose their occupations according to the available resource in their environment. 10. Wade, W. Alex, Edward L. Petsonk, Byron Young, and Idrees Mogri. “Severe occupational pneumoconiosis among West Virginian coal miners: one hundred thirty-eight cases of progressive massive fibrosis compensated between 2000 and 2009.” Chest 139, no. 6 (2011): 1458-1462.
Alike, the political ecology of health entails the understanding of people on diseases and their ideas about treatment. Research confirms that most miners would boycott screening for black lung disease due to fear of prejudice and discrimination at the workplace.
The political ecology of health entails the fact the there is a relationship with the environment that the diseases that emerge within it. In this case, the dust from the extraction of coal is the main reason for black lung disease. The politics of science in this sense would explain the processes and the elements in the coal dust that causes black lung disease. Besides, the concept would explain the scientific procedures that differ from one individual to another. For instance, it would involve the reason why some people succumb to allergies of dust, while others survive.
Black lung disease also facilitates the understanding of environmental justice and health. The concept involves fair treatment of people despite their race, cultural background, or nationality. Most miners in the US are immigrants from other countries, but the government owes them fair pay and a friendly work environment. There is a need for employers to plan short shifts for the miners, to reduce the chances of long dust exposure. 11. Suarthana, Eva, A. Scott Laney, Eileen Storey, Janet M. Hale, and Michael D. Attfield. “Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in the United States: regional differences 40 years after implementation of the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.” Occupational and environmental medicine (2011): oem-2010.
Coal miners must have a protective gear that prevents inhalation of coal dust. Alike, they should be encouraged to undertake screening to prevent future infections.
Conclusion
In conclusion, doctors realized about the emergence of black lung disease after the 19th Century when coal mining became one of the profitable activities in the US government. The increase in the number of victims, who suffer from black lung disease increased over the years, and this forced the government and other organizations to form partnerships with the aim of addressing the issue. One of the challenges noted is that more people applied for compensation after the realization of the infection, but it took them longer period before they received their dues. As a result, organizations like the division for coal miners emerged to respond to the issues that affect people in the coal mine. Alike, the government supported other organizations, which showed interest in addressing the problems faced by coal miners in the US. For example, the Black Lung Clinics is one of the organizations that help people in learning the preventive measures from coal dust. Black lung disease enhances the understanding of the politics of health and environmental justice. The concepts involve aspects of the perception of diseases, and how peoples’ preferences differ regarding place of work. Alike, it explains the relationship between public health and decision processes in the institutions of the society.
References
Piper, Amanda J., Stephen J. Wort, Elisabetta A. Renzoni, and Vasileios Kouranos. “Year in
review 2017: Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and
sleep.” Respirology23, no. 4 (2018). Pg. 421-433.
Smith, Evan Barret. “Black Lung in the 21st Century: Disease, Law, and Policy.” W. Va. L.
Rev. 120 (2017): 797.
Petsonk, Edward L., Cecile Rose, and Robert Cohen. “Coal mine dust lung disease. New lessons from an old exposure.” American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 187, no. 11 (2013): 1178-1185.
Aberle, Denise R., Sarah DeMello, Christine D. Berg, William C. Black, Brenda Brewer, Timothy R. Church, Kathy L. Clingan et al. “Results of the two incidence screenings in the National Lung Screening Trial.” New England Journal of Medicine 369, no. 10 (2013): 920-931.
Laney, A. Scott, and David N. Weissman. “Respiratory diseases caused by coal mine dust.” Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 56, no. 0 10 (2014): S18.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. “Pneumoconiosis and advanced occupational lung disease among surface coal miners–16 states, 2010-2011.” MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report 61, no. 23 (2012): 431.
Wade, W. Alex, Edward L. Petsonk, Byron Young, and Idrees Mogri. “Severe occupational pneumoconiosis among West Virginian coal miners: one hundred thirty-eight cases of progressive massive fibrosis compensated between 2000 and 2009.” Chest 139, no. 6 (2011): 1458-1462.
Suarthana, Eva, A. Scott Laney, Eileen Storey, Janet M. Hale, and Michael D. Attfield. “Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in the United States: regional differences 40 years after implementation of the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act.” Occupational and environmental medicine (2011): oem-2010.