Most Upper Big Branch victims had black lung disease
-even those with less than five years as miners
A study of the lung tissue of miners killed in the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine disaster has determined that most of the victims had black lung disease – more evidence that the deadly disease is experiencing a resurgence in the U.S.
"It's a confirmation of what we've been seeing, that there's a problem out there," said Dr. Robert Cohen, the lead researcher and chairman of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Cook County Health and Hospital System in Illinois.