WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will kick off the agency's annual mobile health screenings for coal miners this month. The federal program, in its 21st year, provides free, confidential screenings that support early detection of black lung disease, a serious but preventable condition caused by breathing coal mine dust.

This year's screenings will run from March through May in communities throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. The confidential screenings take place in a mobile testing unit at convenient locations and include a work history and respiratory questionnaire, chest X-ray, blood pressure screening, and breathing test (spirometry). All coal miners (current, former, underground, surface, and those under contract) are welcome and encouraged to participate.

"America's coal miners work hard and sacrifice to keep our nation running. These confidential, free screenings are an important way we can protect their health and reduce their risk of lung disease," said CDC's NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. "If black lung is caught early, we can help prevent serious health outcomes, which is why it is so important that we bring these services directly to the communities that need them through our state-of-the-art mobile unit."

Screenings take approximately 30 minutes and are confidential by law. Each miner will receive their results in approximately 12 weeks. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. Those interested in participating can call 1-888-480-4042 or email cwhsp@cdc.gov to schedule an appointment.

Screening locations, dates, and times are posted on the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program webpage as well as Facebook and X/Twitter. You can find more information about the Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program here.