Appalachia Podcast Summaries

The black lung crisis deepens in Appalachia

Up First from NPR

Aug 9, 2026

Black lung disease is surging among Appalachian coal miners at rates not seen in nearly 50 years, driven by silica dust exposure and regulatory failure. Despite historical progress, one in three career miners now suffers from this incurable condition, exposing a systemic disregard for worker health in favor of industrial output.

Key insight: One in three career coal miners in Appalachia now has black lung disease, a 65% increase in less than a decade, returning to levels last seen in the 1970s.