From 1970 through 2016, black lung disease was the underlying or contributing cause of death for a total of 75,178 miners. From 2007 through 2016, black lung disease was the underlying or contributing cause of death for 4,118 miners.

The NIOSH Mining program conducts research to identify and develop improved dust control technologies. The technologies can then be implemented by the industry to reduce mine workers' respirable dust exposure. Four key components of this dust research program include:

NIOSH conducts ongoing research that addresses respirable dust control problems. The following three elements are used to identify occupations at high risk for exposure to elevated dust levels:

Laboratory and/or mine-site research is then conducted to identify and evaluate dust control technologies for these high-risk occupations. NIOSH researchers use dust laboratories in Pittsburgh to evaluate technologies under controlled conditions that are not available at operating mine sites. Control technologies proven successful in the laboratory then undergo final evaluation at operating mine sites to demonstrate in-mine capability and feasibility.

Real-time monitoring of respirable dust exposures enables mine operators to identify potential overexposures and implement interventions to prevent these overexposures. The personal dust monitor is a gravimetric-based dust monitor that provides real-time dust readouts to the miner. The personal dust monitor was developed by NIOSH and partners. Extensive laboratory and in-mine testing has demonstrated that the personal dust monitor is an accurate dust sampler suitable for underground use. Since 2016, MSHA has required mine operators to use the personal dust monitor for compliance dust sampling. This requirement is part of its most recent respirable dust regulation.

NIOSH researchers have also developed an assessment technique. The technique places a video camera and real-time dust monitor on a worker. The video camera and real-time dust monitor record work tasks and associated dust levels. This "Helmet-CAM" method uses PMRD-developed software (EVADE) to combine the video and dust file so the worker can view the files. Additionally, this software identifies the tasks that generate the most dust. Engineering controls and/or changes in work procedures can then be implemented to reduce dust exposures.

NIOSH has published handbooks summarizing successful dust control technologies and include:

Mine operators can use these handbooks to identify basic dust control technologies that can be utilized industrywide. Additionally, the handbooks can be used to identify controls more suitable to specific operating conditions. Specific research findings are presented at conferences and published in journals to provide results to the industry in a timely manner.