NPR story reveals shocking black lung rates found in Upper Big Branch miners
NPR reports on a detailed study of lung tissue from miners killed in the Upper Big Branch explosion reveal extraordinarily high rates of black lung, quoting ACLC attorney Wes Addington.
“These results are beyond disturbing,” says Wes Addington, an attorney at the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center , which represents coal miners seeking black lung benefits. “I don’t care how small the sample,” Addington adds. “To find black lung in 85 percent of these miners shouldn’t be happening in this country.”