Union Irked by Change to Fume Standard in Mines

The United Steelworkers (USW), representing the majority of unionized metal, mineral and stone miners in the United States, Tuesday criticized the U.S. Department of Labor for weakening the Mine Safety and Health Administration's 2001 standard for diesel fumes underground. "Diesel fumes cause cancer and lung disease," said USW President Leo Gerard. "Without good controls, working in an underground mine can be like working in the tailpipe of a bus. We thought we were making progress under the 2001 standard. But this revision threatens the health of miners."...