Free Screenings Offered to Help Coal Miners Detect Black Lung Early
NIOSH is offering free screenings to help coal miners identify black lung disease early and track respiratory health impacts from coal mine dust exposure.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Mar 06, 2026
Federal safety officials are encouraging coal miners to take advantage of free health screenings designed to detect black lung disease and other respiratory conditions associated with coal mine dust exposure.
The screenings are offered through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as part of the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, which provides confidential testing for current and former coal miners. Black lung, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is a serious and irreversible lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to coal mine dust.
Screenings may include chest X-rays and breathing tests that help identify early signs of lung disease. The program operates through approved medical facilities and mobile health units that travel to mining communities to increase access to testing.
The screenings are available to a wide range of miners, including those working in underground and surface coal mines as well as contract workers. The goal of the program is to detect disease early, monitor respiratory health trends in the mining workforce and provide miners with information about their lung health.
Health officials say early detection is critical, as black lung can worsen over time and lead to severe breathing problems and disability if exposure continues.
Through the NIOSH surveillance program, miners can receive testing at no cost and obtain information about their results and potential next steps for protecting their health.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.