My Grandfather on my Dads side of the family worked the coal mines of West Virginia & Kentucky. He died of black lung disease before he reached 50.
I remember my dad telling the stories about growing up in the 30's in the coal mining regions.
I remember him telling me how my Grandmother wouldn't hang out the wash on days that the wind was blowing up from the direction of the mines because it would get covered with coal dust.

DB.