Annual CDC mobile lung screenings for coal miners begins in April across several states See where
Starting in April, the NIOSH mobile screening unit will provide free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners in Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. (NIOSH )
The annual Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) black lung screenings for coal miners will start in April across several states.
The backstory:
The federal program, now in its 21st year, provides free, confidential screenings for coal miners for early detection of black lung disease, which the CDC says is a serious but preventable condition caused by breathing coal mine dust.
What we know:
The NIOSH says this year’s screenings will be provided in Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. The NIOSH says due to technical issues, screenings that were scheduled for West Virginia in March were canceled.
The confidential screenings are done in a mobile testing system and include work history, a respiratory questionnaire, chest X-ray, blood pressure screening, and a breathing test. The NIOSH says all coal miners — current, former, underground, surface, and those under contract — are encouraged to participate in the free screenings.
What they're saying:
"America's coal miners work hard and sacrifice to keep our nation running. These confidential, free screenings are an important way we can protect their health and reduce their risk of lung disease," said CDC's NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. in a release. "If black lung is caught early, we can help prevent serious health outcomes, which is why it is so important that we bring these services directly to the communities that need them through our state-of-the-art mobile unit."
Dig deeper:
The NIOSH says the confidential screenings take approximately 30 minutes and each miner will receive their results in approximately 12 weeks.
Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome and those interested in participating can call 1-888-480-4042 or email cwhsp@cdc.gov to schedule an appointment at one of the locations.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Virginia
Tuesday, April 7
Stone Mountain Health Services
1060 Anchorage Circle
Vansant, VA 24656
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Alabama
Thursday, April 9
Bevill State Community College
101 State Street
Sumiton, AL 35148
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10
Bessemer Civic Center
1130 9th Avenue SW
Bessemer, AL 35022
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11
Berry City Hall
30 School Avenue
Berry, AL 35546
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 12
Warrior Met Training Facility (WARRIOR MET ONLY)
13183 Lock 17 Road
Brookwood, AL 35444
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday, April 13
Warrior Met 7 East Portal (WARRIOR MET ONLY)
4795 Sealy Ann Mountain Road
Adger, AL 35444
5 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14
Warrior Met 4 North Portal (WARRIOR MET ONLY)
13549 Triple L Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
5 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Kentucky
Thursday, April 16
Whitesburg Medical Center
226 Medical Plaza Lane
Whitesburg, KY 41858
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Ohio
Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5
Athens City Pool
601 E. State Street
Athens, OH 45701
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Illinois
Thursday, May 7
Harrisburg High School Football Stadium
South Cheney Street
Harrisburg, IL 62946
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Benton City Fire Department
107 N Maple Street
Benton, IL 62812
Friday, May 8
8am - 4:30pm
Saturday, May 9
Pinckneyville Community Center
203 N. Walnut Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12
Williamsville Community Center
141 W Main Street
Williamsville, IL 62693
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Coal miners black lung screenings in Indiana
Wednesday, May 13
Oaktown #1 (Open to all miners)
12661 Agri Care Road
Oaktown, IN 47561
4 a.m. - 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 14
Sunrise Coal Mine One, Portal 2
8788 N. P Perry Road
Bruceville, IN 47516
4 a.m. - 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This story was reported from Orlando.