ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Black lung disease

Sure, Black Lung Disease is a sickness that miners can get from breathing in too much coal dust. Coal dust is very fine and it can get into a miner's lungs and stay there. Over time, this dust can hurt the lungs and make them very sick. This sickness is called Black Lung Disease because it can make the lung tissue look black.

When miners breathe in too much coal dust, their body can't get rid of it like it normally would with other types of dust. Instead, the coal dust stays in the lungs and builds up over time. This can make it hard for the miner to breathe and can cause coughing, fatigue, wheezing, and chest pain.

Luckily, Black Lung Disease can be prevented if miners wear masks that filter out the coal dust they are breathing in. However, if miners do get Black Lung Disease, there are treatments available to help them manage their symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
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