NIOSH Offers Free, Confidential Black Lung Screenings for Coal Miners Starting in July
The mobile screening program offers coal miners free, confidential evaluations to support early detection of black lung disease at multiple community and mine sites.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jul 25, 2025
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced it will provide free and confidential black lung screenings for coal miners throughout July and August 2025. The mobile screening initiative aims to support early detection of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), a serious but preventable occupational condition caused by long-term exposure to coal mine dust.
NIOSH’s mobile testing unit will offer screenings at multiple convenient community and mine locations across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland.
Who Should Participate
The program is open to all coal miners—current, former, underground, surface, and contract workers. Each participant will receive a private lung health report at no cost. Screenings are strictly confidential and protected by federal law.
“This effort supports early detection of black lung disease, which remains a significant concern in the mining industry,” NIOSH stated in its advisory. “We encourage all eligible miners to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Screening Locations and Dates
Waynesburg, PA
Greene County Fairgrounds, 107 Fairgrounds Road
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 17, 2025 – 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Morgantown, WV
NMRA Post 5 Mine Rescue Contest, Mylan Park, 500 Mylan Park Lane
Tuesday–Thursday, July 29–31, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mannington, WV
Price Cutter, 1 Rainbow Plaza
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Grantsville, MD
Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, 178 Springs Road
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are encouraged. Screenings will take about 30 minutes and include a work and respiratory history, chest x-ray, blood pressure check, and breathing test (spirometry). Results are typically mailed within 8–10 weeks.
More Information
Full details and updates about screening dates and locations are available on the NIOSH Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program webpage.
To learn more about NIOSH and its mission to protect worker health and safety, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.