WASHINGTON,DC -- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will offer free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners throughout September in Ohio and West Virginia. NIOSH provides screenings through a mobile testing unit at convenient community locations.

Six new screening locations have been added in September 2025. In Ohio screenings will take place in Zanesville, Woodsfield, and Hopedale and in West Virginia, screenings will occur in Wheeling, Triadelphia, and Mannington.

All coal miners (current, former, underground, surface, and those under contract) are encouraged to participate. The screenings support early detection of black lung disease, a serious but preventable disease in coal miners caused by breathing coal mine dust.

NIOSH will provide screenings at the following location, dates, and times:
Monday, September 15
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ohio University, Zanesville
1425 Newark Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701
Tuesday, September 16
9 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
UMWA, Wheeling Office
260 Warden Run Rd., Wheeling, WV 26003
Wednesday, September 17
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Woodsfield Municipal Building
221 S. Main St., Woodsfield, OH 43793
Thursday, September 18
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Hopedale Volunteer Fire Department
103 Firehouse Lane, Hopedale, OH 43976
Friday, September 19
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bass Pro Shop (formerly Cabela’s)
1 Cabela Drive, Triadelphia, WV 26059
Tuesday, September 23
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Price Cutter
1 Rainbow Plaza, Mannington, WV 26582

Participation provides coal miners with a free screening and a confidential report on their lung health.
Screenings will take approximately 30 minutes and will include:

A work history and respiratory questionnaire

A chest x-ray

Blood pressure screening

A breathing test (spirometry)

Screenings are confidential by law. Each miner will be provided their results within 8-10 weeks from their screening appointment. Appointments are recommended but walks-ins are welcome.

Screening locations, dates, and times will be posted on the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program webpage. Local and individual outreach will be done in all specific locations.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about NIOSH visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.