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Occupational lung diseases are caused by harmful particles, mists, vapors or gases inhaled while a person works. The body has several ways of getting rid of inhaled particles. In the airways, mucus coats particles so they can be coughed up more easily. In the lungs, special scavenger cells engulf most particles and render them harmless. Sometimes, the body's defenses cannot fight off harmful inhaled particles, and disease develops.
| Occupational Lung Disease |
Who is at Risk? |
Silicosis: A permanent scarring of the lungs caused by inhaling silica (quartz) dust.
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- Lead, copper, silver, and gold miners
- Certain coal miners
- Foundry workers
- Potters
- Sandstone or granite cutters
- Tunnel workers
- Workers who make abrasive soaps
- Sandblasters
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Black lung disease: Lung disease caused by deposits of coal dust in the lungs.
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Asbestosis: A widespread scarring of lung tissue caused by breathing asbestos dust.
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- Workers who mine, mill, or manufacture asbestos
- Construction workers who install or remove materials that contain asbestos
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Berylliosis: A lung inflammation caused by inhaling dust or fumes that contain beryllium
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Occupational asthma: A reversible spasm of the airways caused by inhaling particles or vapors that act as irritants or cause an allergic reaction
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- People who work with grains, western red cedar wood, castor beans, dyes, antibiotics, epoxy resins, tea, and enzymes used in manufacturing detergent, malt, and leather goods
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Byssinosis: A narrowing of the airways caused by inhaling cotton, flax, or hemp particles.
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- Cotton, hemp, jute, and flax workers
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At OccNet, the occupational health service of the Health Alliance, the most common of these diseases is occupational asthma. According to occupational health specialist James Keller, M.D., "This develops either as a true allergy or as a result of a massive exposure (usually a spill) with irritation of the airways, leading to a susceptibility to asthma." 
The best ways to prevent occupational asthma include good ventilation and substituting allergenic materials with those less likely to cause allergy. If neither of these is possible, respiratory protective equipment is also an option.
In the case of occupational lung disease, prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, drugs and other treatments are beneficial in most disorders. If you are having respiratory symptoms that may be related to occupational exposures to harmful particles, see an occupational specialist. Occupational medicine specialists are trained to sort out the complex history and time line of symptoms, as well as order necessary diagnostic tests and begin treatment.
For more information about how you can make your work area a better place to breathe, call OccNet at 1-513-585-9400 to set up an appointment to help keep your work place a safe and comfortable one in which to work.
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