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Occupational Lung Disease
Definition
Occupational lung disease is an umbrella
term that covers several lung disorders caused by extended exposure
to irritating or toxic substances which cause acute or chronic respiratory
problems.
Causes, incidence & risk
factors
Smoking may
act as a synergist (helper) to increase the severity of these diseases.
Types of occupational lung disease include (but are not limited to):
- Occupational asthma
- Asbestosis – a
progressive disease of the lung involving scarring of the
lung tissue as a result of exposure to the microscopic fibers
of asbestos
- Mesothelioma – A
rare cancer of the lining of the chest caused by
asbestos exposure.
- Byssinosis (brown lung
disease) – A
chronic condition of the lungs involving the
small airways and resulting in severely impaired lung function
that is caused by exposure to dust from hemp, flax
and cotton processing.
- Coal-workers
pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) – A
condition of the lungs in which inhaled coal
dust becomes imbedded in the lungs and causes them to harden,
making breathing very difficult.
- Silicosis – A
condition in which scar tissue form in the lungs
as a result of exposure to free crystalline silica in mines,
foundries, blasting operations, stone, clay and glass
manufacturing. This condition also significantly raises the risk
of tuberculosis.
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis – A
lung condition that results from repeated exposure
to fungal spores from moldy hay, bird droppings, or other
organic dusts causing the air sacs in the lungs
to be come inflamed and scar tissue to form.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Cough
- Tightness in the chest
- Chest
pain
- Additional symptoms that
may be present
- Nail changes
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Fever
- Fatigue
Tests
- Chest x-ray
- Pulmonary functions
tests
- Complete blood count
- Labs
specific for each condition
- High-resolution CT scan
of the chest
- Bronchoscopy
- Video-assisted
or open lung biopsy
Treatment
Treatment is cause specific, but the main
goal is to avoid further exposure to the causative environment, if
possible. A change in occupations may be required if future worksite
exposure is unavoidable. |
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