"Black Lung Disease Makes a Deadly Comeback: Mining Industry Confronts Toxic Legacy. For decades, the mining industry has been plagued by the devastating consequences of black lung disease, a respiratory condition caused by inhaling toxic silica dust. But a disturbing new trend has emerged, with thousands of miners falling ill and dying from the disease at alarming rates not seen since the 1970s. Mining experts point to a disturbing increase in silica dust exposure, which is becoming more common in modern mines due to outdated equipment and inadequate ventilation systems. As the industry grapples with this deadly legacy, concerns are growing about the long-term health of miners and the need for urgent reform to protect workers from the toxic risks of their jobs."
Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.
