Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

FRONTLINE: Coal's Human Cost

Radiologist scrutinizes images of coal miners’ lungs in his clinic in Coal Run Village, Kentucky.
Elaine McMillion Sheldon/FRONTLINE (PBS)
/
GBH
Radiologist scrutinizes images of coal miners’ lungs in his clinic in Coal Run Village, Kentucky.

Premieres Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream with KPBS+

Coal miners are suffering from incurable lung disease at the highest rates in nearly 50 years. With NPR, Public Health Watch, and Kentucky Public Radio, how industry and government have failed to protect miners in Appalachia from black lung disease.

Veteran underground coal miners are suffering from an incurable lung disease at the highest rates in nearly 50 years. With NPR, Public Health Watch and Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, FRONTLINE investigates how industry and government have failed to protect miners in Appalachia from black lung disease.

Watch On Your Schedule: KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

Advertisement

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience). Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.

FRONTLINE | PBS on Facebook / Instagram

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.