Occupational Lung Diseases

Occupational Lung Diseases

What are occupational lung diseases? Repeated and long-term exposure to certain irritants on the job can lead to an array of lung diseases that may have lasting effects, even after exposure ceases. Certain occupations, because of the nature of their location, work, and environment, are more at risk for occupational lung diseases than others. Contrary to a popular misconception, coal miners are not the only ones at risk for occupational lung diseases. For instance, working in a car garage or textile factory can expose a person to hazardous chemicals, dusts, and fibers that may lead to a lifetime of lung problems if not properly diagnosed and treated. What are the symptoms of an occupational lung disease? The following are the most common symptoms of lung diseases, regardless of the cause. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

coughing shortness of breath chest pain chest tightness abnormal breathing pattern

The symptoms of occupational lung diseases may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis. How are occupational lung diseases diagnosed? Occupational lung diseases, like other lung diseases, usually require an initial chest x-ray for preliminary diagnosis. In addition, various tests may be performed to determine the type and severity of the lung disease, including:

pulmonary function tests - diagnostic tests that help to measure the lungs' ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide appropriately. The tests are usually performed with special machines into which the person must breathe. microscopic examination of tissue, cells, and fluids from the lungs biochemical and cellular studies of lung fluids measurement of respiratory or gas exchange functions examination of airway or bronchial activity

What is the difference between inorganic and organic dust? Particles in the air may cause lung problems. Often called particulate matter (PM), particles can consist of a combination of dust, pollens, molds, dirt, soil, ashes, and soot. Particulate matter in the air comes from many sources, such as factories, smokestacks, exhaust, fires, mining, construction, and agriculture. The finer the particles are, the more damage they can do to the lungs, because they are easily inhaled deep into the lungs, where they are absorbed into the body. "Inorganic" refers to any substances that do not contain carbon, excluding certain simple carbon oxides, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. "Organic" refers to any substances that do contain carbon, excluding simple carbon oxides, sulfides, and metal carbonates.

Byssinosis

Byssinosis is a disease of the lungs brought on by breathing in cotton dust or dusts from other vegetable fibers such as flax, hemp, or sisal while at work.
Symptoms

Chest tightness Cough Wheezing Symptoms will get worse at the beginning of the work week, and then improve while you are away from the workplace, or later in the work week.