Overview

• Dozens of miners and family members plan to gather Tuesday outside the Labor Department, accusing the Trump administration of failing to enforce limits on silica dust that causes black lung.
• Enforcement of the Biden-era silica rule has been halted while mining groups pursue a federal appeals court challenge arguing the standard is too costly.
• The rule would require engineering and ventilation controls to reduce airborne silica rather than relying on respirators, with federal estimates of preventing 1,067 deaths and 3,746 cases of black lung.
• Advocates warn that black lung is resurging among younger miners and note that silica dust is far more toxic than coal dust and is associated with lung cancer and kidney disease.
• Critics say the administration favors operators, including through subsidies, as industry groups seek to block the regulation even as the National Mining Association says it supports lower exposure levels.