Coal Miners Fear Trump's Rollbacks Threaten Health Protections in West Virginia

Coal miners in West Virginia are increasingly alarmed by Donald Trumps regulatory rollbacks, fearing that health protections against black lung disease and exposure to silicon dioxide are at risk.

• Since Donald Trumps inauguration, multiple health and safety regulations protecting coal mining workers have faced rollbacks, raising concerns about worker safety in West Virginia.
• The silica rule, designed to limit exposure to silicon dioxide, was delayed in April following legal challenges from industry groups, threatening miner health protections.
• Coal mining in West Virginia has historically been linked to high rates of black lung disease, making the preservation of health regulations critical for worker safety.