Black lung is a preventable lung disease caused by breathing coal dust.
Despite federal legislation enacted to prevent the disease, it still remains the number one killer of coal miners in the country. In response to mass street protests and strikes by thousands of UMWA coal miners, Congress passed the federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969. Since that time, the union has waged a seesaw battle against the coal bosses and U.S. government over deteriorating working conditions in the mines and continued foot-dragging, and denial of black lung compensation to coal miners and their families. One aspect of MSHA's responsibilities is dust control. The government agency has come under sharp criticism for failing to enforce the 1969 act.