Dust in the lung

One journalist is determined to help China's millions of migrant workers suffering from the deadly black lung disease.



An estimated six million people in China suffer from pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease. After reporting on this disease, journalist Wang Keqin was compelled to launch an online civil movement to increase public awareness and set up a dedicated fund to provide victims with medical aid.

Wang is committed to raising public awareness through fund-raising events and visiting villages in rural China affected by the disease. He remains uncertain about how his efforts are helping to fight what is now the deadliest workplace disease in China.

This is the story of one newsman and his fight for the workers of China.


By Phil Yan and Richard Liang

"In China, there are about six million pneumoconiosis sufferers. They have no way out and their only option is to wait for death with no dignity."

These were the words of Wang Keqin that hurt us the most when we filmed him for the first time. As we quickly discovered, the six million figure that Wang was referring to not only included the six million people who currently suffer from pneumoconiosis, but the six million families who have also been dragged into a nightmare that often results in the death of their relatives.