Prepared Statement of Donald L. Rasmussen, MD (Chief Pulmonary Section, Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital), and “Cigarette Smoke Worse Than Coal Dust”

Congress considered these two pieces of evidence as part of its deliberations on the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The Act, which the House passed with near unanimous support, offered miners novel protections against workplace hazards and a host of federal benefits for victims of black lung.

What do the two perspectives advanced in these documents tell us about the nature of black lung disease and attempts by industry and the federal government to manage its effects?

How do Rasmussen and Young use scientific information and arguments to make their political points?

Citation: 

Prepared Statement of Donald L. Rasmussen, MD (Chief Pulmonary Section, Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital), and “Cigarette Smoke Worse Than Coal Dust,” submitted for the record by Stephen G. Young (Vice President, West Virginia Coal Association), Unit

Library Item Date: 

1969

Teaching Unit: 

Late 20th Century Coal Mining