ACR Restores B Reader Training to Support Black Lung Screening

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) celebrates the resumption June 23, of its B Reader course and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification program following a pause initiated in April when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services restructured and significantly reduced NIOSH staff.

NIOSH staff and programs were restored following ACR’s and other stakeholders’ congressional outreach and efforts. ACR’s B Reader training session successfully convened earlier this week in Reston, VA, enabling physicians to certify or recertify as B Readers.

Certified B Readers classify pneumoconiosis (interstitial lung disease) in the chest x-rays of workers exposed to coal mine dust, crystalline silica and asbestos. The availability of physician B Readers is critical to the success of NIOSH’s Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program, which provides periodic black lung screenings at no cost to American coal miners. Federal, state and industry programs, rules and standards also use physician B Readers.

To learn more about ACR’s training program and examination session — recognized as the leading B Reader educational course in the U.S. — visit the College’s Education Center webpage.

For more information about ACR’s advocacy to support physician B Readers, contact Michael Peters, ACR Senior Director, Government Affairs.