NIOSH Announces Free, Confidential Black Lung Screenings for Coal Miners

Advisory

For immediate release: July 14, 2025

WHAT

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will offer free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners beginning in July. NIOSH provides screenings through a mobile testing unit at convenient community and mine locations.

WHO

All coal miners (current, former, underground, surface, and those under contract) are encouraged to participate. The screenings support early detection of black lung disease, a serious but preventable disease in coal miners caused by breathing coal mine dust.

NIOSH will provide screenings at the following location, dates, and times:

Location
Date/Time

Greene County Fairgrounds

107 Fairgrounds Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Greene County Fairgrounds

107 Fairgrounds Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370

Thursday, July 17, 2025

5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

NMRA Post 5 Mine Rescue Contest, Mylan Park

500 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown, WV 26501

Tuesday–Thursday July 29, 30, 31, 2025

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Price Cutter

1 Rainbow Plaza, Mannington, WV 26582

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department

178 Springs Road, Grantsville, MD 21536

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION

Participation provides coal miners with a free screening and a confidential report on their lung health.

Screenings will take approximately 30 minutes and will include:

  • A work history and respiratory questionnaire
  • A chest x-ray
  • Blood pressure screening
  • A breathing test (spirometry)

Screenings are confidential by law. Each miner will be provided their results within 8-10 weeks from their screening appointment. Appointments are recommended but walks-ins are welcome.

Screening locations, dates, and times will be posted on the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program webpage. Local and individual outreach will be done in all specific locations.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about NIOSH visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.