NIOSH Commences 2026 Mobile Health Screening Tour
The federal program begins its 21st year of providing free, confidential black lung testing across six states to support early disease detection.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Mar 11, 2026
NIOSH will begin its 2026 circuit of mobile health screenings for coal miners this month, traveling to communities in West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
The federal program, now in its 21st year, provides free and confidential screenings intended to support the early detection of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease. The condition is a serious but preventable respiratory ailment caused by inhaling coal mine dust.
Current, former, underground, surface and contract coal miners are eligible to participate. The screenings, which take approximately 30 minutes, include a work history questionnaire, chest X-rays, blood pressure screenings and spirometry breathing tests.
“America’s coal miners work hard and sacrifice to keep our nation running,” NIOSH Director John Howard said. “These confidential, free screenings are an important way we can protect their health and reduce their risk of lung disease. If black lung is caught early, we can help prevent serious health outcomes.”
The 2026 schedule follows ongoing federal efforts to expand access to diagnostic services for miners in rural regions.
The testing will be conducted in a mobile unit from March through May. By law, the results are kept confidential, and miners receive their individual data approximately 12 weeks after testing.
While NIOSH welcomes walk-ins, the agency recommends making an appointment by calling 1-888-480-4042 or emailing [email protected]. Detailed schedules and locations are available on the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program webpage and official social media channels.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.