The following is from an editorial in a legal journal It is now apparent based on data that has been collated from several independent studies that asbestos is the cause of lung cancer emphysema and other respiratory illnesses in the miners of Coal Valley

The editorial of the legal journal claims that asbestos is the cause of various cancers and illnesses among the miners of Coal Valley. The author supported his conclusion with various studies into the ailments of miners and the general population in Coal Valley. However, the author does not show us a logical thread of reasoning that ties his supporting evidence to his conclusion. There are various viable alternatives to his proposed explanation that will be discussed below.

First and foremost, the editorial does not prove that asbestos is the cause of ailments in the miners of Coal Valley. While the editorial includes studies that show that asbestos is the cause of lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses in the miners of Coal Valley, without further evidence, we cannot equate correlation to causation. While it is undeniable that asbestos negatively impacts one’s health, the editorial does not provide proof linking asbestos to the mines. Unless the editorial can provide data showing that asbestos is the leading cause of such illnesses (as compared to other factors such as smoking), along with the concentration of asbestos molecules in mines versus other populations, we cannot immediatly attribute the cause to asbestos. Additionally, there could be other minerals or reasons that cause this increase in illnesses among miners. For example, as the years passed, we’ve come to know the toxic side effects of lead in paint. Miners during that era most likely lived in houses with lead paint and have yet discovered the harmful effects of the air they’re breathing in. As such, various alternative substances could in fact be the factor driving the increase in health issues among miners, not just asbestos by itself.

Furthermore, the editorial supports its conclusion by citing various studies that show higher incidences of ailments among miners versus the general population or miners in the past. There are various possible explanations to explain the studies without linking it back to asbestos. With all the medical advancements of the 21st century, doctors are now more able to correctly identify illnesses and treat them as compared to doctors in the past. Thus, studies that show that the incidences of ailments have risen dramatically among miners of Coal Valley now compared to the 1960s, 1980s and 2000s are more a testiment to our advancement in the medical field, and aren’t an accurate comparative measure over time. Similar trends have shown up in other ailments, such as the over-diagnosing of ADHD among children of the current generation compared to children of generations past. Additionally, miners showing higher incidences of health problems compared to the population is not surprising, as they work in harsh environments. Similar to how the author argued that asbestos is the cause of ailments among miners, it could also be argued that dust is, since there is more dust in mines compared to the work environments of regular citizens. Thus, more data needs to be provided from such studies to ensure their methodology can sufficiently show that, with all other things being equal, the rate of miners falling ill now is significantly higher than that of the past. These studies also need to prove that there are no other significant variables between the work conditions of miners and the general population.

Last but not least, the management of coal mines could be the cause of such illnesses instead of asbestos. As worker’s unions weaken with time, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that current miners are treated worse or are expected to work in harsher conditions than their predecessors. Since few miners were known to have similar ailments before a particular mine opened in 1920, it would suggest that the policies of the mine itself may play a big part in the increase in ailments. Perhaps while previous mines require miners to wear protective gear and masks to ensure their respiratory health, mines opening after the 1920s did not implement such procedures. Thus, we should also look at the health regulations implemented to see if there is a significant policy shift that could explain the rise in cases of cancer and ailments.

In conclusion, there are various viable alternatives that could better explain the increase of illnesses plaguing the mining community of Coal Valley. Before more detailed studies, evidence and data is brought to our attention, it is not possible to firmly conclude that asbestos is the cause of the problems of the miners of Coal Valley.