New Federal Rule Halves Silica Dust Exposure for Miners

The regulation aims to combat the rising cases of black lung disease, particularly among younger workers in Appalachia.

The U.S. Labor Department has introduced a stringent regulation reducing the permissible exposure limit of silica dust to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su emphasized that the rule is crucial for ensuring that no job is a death sentence.
Health advocates and miners have long advocated for better protections against silica dust, which is significantly more harmful than coal dust.
Despite the new rule, concerns remain about the enforcement and adequacy of staffing in mine safety offices.
The rule aligns with safety standards in other industries and matches recommendations made by health authorities since the 1970s.