Coal Miners With Black Lung Say They Are ‘Cast Aside to Die’ Under Trump

As President Trump continues to tout his support for the coal industry, a group of coal miners afflicted with black lung disease are crying out for help, claiming that his administration is abandoning them to suffer and die from a preventable illness. Despite Trump’s promises to revive the coal industry and his vocal backing of coal miners, many are feeling neglected and betrayed by his administration’s failure to enforce strict limits on a deadly workplace hazard.

Black lung disease, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is a respiratory illness caused by inhaling coal dust over an extended period. The disease can cause scarring, inflammation, and damage to lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, and even death. While the disease has been largely preventable through the use of protective gear and strict safety regulations, thousands of coal miners have fallen ill and died from black lung disease over the years.

Coal miners and advocates say that the Trump administration’s rollback of safety regulations and lack of enforcement have exacerbated the problem. In 2014, the Obama administration implemented stricter limits on coal dust exposure, which helped to reduce the incidence of black lung disease. However, under Trump, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has been criticized for failing to enforce these limits and for rolling back other safety regulations.

“We feel like we’re being cast aside to die,” said Terry Swann, a coal miner from Kentucky who has been diagnosed with black lung disease. “The Trump administration is more concerned with helping the coal companies make money than with protecting the lives of coal miners.”

Swann and others like him are demanding action from the Trump administration to address the growing crisis of black lung disease. They are calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, increased funding for medical research and treatment, and greater accountability from coal companies.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has reported a surge in black lung disease cases in recent years, with the number of diagnosed cases increasing by more than 900% between 2010 and 2017. The institute has also reported that the disease is affecting younger coal miners, with some cases found in miners as young as 30.

The Trump administration has responded to criticism by pointing to its efforts to support the coal industry, including rolling back environmental regulations and withdrawing from international agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions. However, coal miners and advocates say that these efforts come at a devastating cost to their health and well-being.

“We’re not just statistics or talking points,” said Swann. “We’re human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We deserve to work in a safe environment and to have access to quality medical care when we’re sick.”

As the Trump administration continues to prioritize the interests of coal companies over those of coal miners, many are left feeling abandoned and betrayed. The coal miners’ plight serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the Trump administration’s policies and the need for greater accountability and action to protect the lives of American workers.