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Free black lung testing in Alabama

THE National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is offering miners free health screenin...

Donna Schmidt

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The confidential tests, which take about 25 minutes, include a work history questionnaire, a chest X-ray and spirometry testing.

NIOSH also is offering blood pressure screenings.

Officials will be available March 4-5 at the Jim Walter Resources No. 4 mine in Brookwood, and March 6-7 at the neighboring JWR No. 7 operation on Sealy Ann Mountain Road.

On March 8, testing will be done at the Hannah Creek Road location of JWR No. 7. Hours are 7am-7pm daily.

On March 9, NIOSH will have testing available from 8am-3pm at the JWR Training Center, and on March 11 it will be at the JWR North River complex in Berry from 7am-7pm.

Crews at the Drummond Shoal Creek operation in Oakman will have an opportunity to be tested March 12-13, and Cliffs Natural Resources Oak Grove mine in Bessemer will be visited by the NIOSH testing group on March 14-15. All testing at those locations will be from 7am-7pm.

According to NIOSH research, there is a resurgence in black lung disease, following a decrease in the 1970s-90s.

Researchers are working to determine why miners in certain job functions and coal-rich regions are more susceptible to the disease than others.

NIOSH recommends appointments for testing by calling 1-888-480-4042, but walk-ins will be accepted.

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