The topic of black lung has become prevalent in the coal miner community, as a number of workers are diagnosed with this disease every year.

Black lung is caused by inhaling coal dust, which impacts the person’s immune system and can cause inflammation. This devastating disease can be prevented with the proper safety equipment, with many of these workers assuming they were protected by 3M dust masks.

These 3M dust masks were supposed to prevent coal dust from getting into peoples’ lungs, but this has allegedly not been the case for many coal miners.

Coal miners and their loved ones who are concerned over the recent surge in black lung cases, should educate themselves about the disease and the allegations surrounding 3M dust masks.

What is black lung?

Also known as coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, black lung is caused by long term coal dust exposure that is common among coal miners or other people who work with coal.

The effect of coal dust is similar to breathing in silica or asbestos, in which the respiratory becomes severely damaged from the coal dust particles. Coal dust gradually builds up in the lungs, which eventually causes inflammation or fibrosis, and sometimes complete necrosis, or death of the tissue.

Black lung comes in two forms, simple and complicated, with the latter also known as progressively massive fibrosis (PMF). The simple version is described as several spots of scar tissue from dust particles, whereas the complicated version causes scarring throughout the lungs.

Potential patients should consult their doctors immediately if they experience:

• Cough, with or without black discharge
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest

It is important to note that researchers estimated approximately 16 percent of coal miners in the United States may develop respiratory complications due to coal dust exposure, and it may take years for black lung to develop.

Is black lung fatal?

Black lung is a fatal disease
with no known cure. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 76,000 miners have died from black lung since 1968. Black lung has been a concern for environmental health officials for decades, and cases continue to be reported in the central Appalachia area. This area still relies on coal mining as a major source of income, which is especially prevalent in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in 2016 that it had documented 60 cases of serious respiratory problems in residents in just 20 months at a single healthcare facility in Kentucky.

What are 3M dust masks and why is there concern?

3M dust masks were worn over the mouths and noses of miners to help prevent coal dust inhalation during their work. These masks were supposed to allow coal miners to breathe safely in their work environments, but were allegedly defective and caused numerous people to develop chronic health problems.

What companies were sold defective 3M dust masks?

There are a variety of companies that reportedly bought these allegedly defective respirators and provided them to their workers including:

• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
• Eastern States Mine Supply
• Fairmont Supply Company
• Persinger Supply Company
• Raleigh Mine and Industrial Supply
• Mine Safety Appliances
• American Optical Corp.
• Kentucky Mine Supply Company

If you or a loved one developed black lung or other respiratory illness after using 3M dust masks, an attorney may be able to help.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.