CHARLESTON, W.Va. Scientists and coalfield residents asked West Virginia lawmakers today to address whether coal waste is poisoning the region’s drinking supply.

A joint interim subcommittee studying the issue received a detailed study of wells and streams in Mingo County from Wheeling Jesuit University. The testing found unsafe levels of iron, manganese and sodium near where coal waste has been injected into abandoned underground mines.

The lawmakers also heard from area residents who blame polluted water for such health ailments as kidney stones, cysts, prematurely decaying teeth and miscarriages.

Some of those who spoke also questioned the motives of Massey C-E-O Don Blankenship.

Blankenship is funding a political campaign to defeat dozens of Democrats in West Virginia’s elections next month. He calls his campaign “And For the Sake of the Kids.”

But coalfield residents say that Richmond-based Massey is responsible for (b) billions of gallons of coal waste in their area.