AdvertisementBefore Black Lung, The Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster Killed HundredsJanuary 20, 2019Adelina LancianesefacebookEmailIn the photo above, dust circles a worker during the construction of the Hawks Nest Tunnel in 1930. Workers on the project were exposed to toxic levels of silica dust; hundreds ultimately died. (Courtesy of Elkem Metals Collection, West Virginia State Archives)