With cases of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) spiking, two unions have called on the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to step up standards to protect miners from silica dust.

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and United Steelworkers (USW) said in a statement on Wednesday that silica was believed to be responsible for a large rise in cases of black lung disease among coal miners in central Appalachia. Read more: m.miningweekly.com