Combating the Scientific Establishment: Elite Resistance to Black Lung Prevention and Compensation

The purpose of this qualitative paper is to discuss the ways in which industry elites are able to circumvent and contest scientifically-grounded federal governance in the context of central Appalachian coal and black lung.... [ view full abstract ]

The purpose of this qualitative paper is to discuss the ways in which industry elites are able to circumvent and contest scientifically-grounded federal governance in the context of central Appalachian coal and black lung. Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung, is a preventable occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of coal and silica dust. The disease represents a classic case of how environmental illnesses are contested by powerful actors. Following the institutionalization of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the prevalence of the disease declined greatly over the first three decades. However, in recent years miners have experienced a deadlier resurgence of the disease in central Appalachia. Despite federal governance surrounding issues of black lung for both prevention and compensation, industry representatives continue to contest and deny cases of black lung. Using contested environmental illnesses as the central theoretical framework, the following research questions will be discussed: What industry tactics are utilized to circumvent federal dust control regulations in the mines? And, what tactics are utilized by the coal industry to contest black lung compensation claims? Furthermore, suggestions for improving black lung prevention and compensation claims will be discussed.