What You Should Know About
Occupational Lung Disease
Collectively, occupational lung diseases comprise the leading work-related illness in the United States. These diseases usually result from extended exposure to irritating or toxic substances that cause acute or chronic respiratory ailments. In many cases, prolonged exposure to a particular agent may produce a significant allergy. If severe enough, even a single exposure to a harmful inhaled substance can cause symptoms.
Smoking can compound the effects of work-related exposure to inhaled toxins and can increase the severity of the resulting lung disease. Smokers who are exposed to carcinogens, such as asbestos and radiation, greatly increase their chances of getting lung cancer and other lung diseases. |
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Lung cancer
Occupational lung cancer results from inhalation of carcinogens, such as asbestos, coal, and petroleum-related carbon compounds, in the workplace. In 1998, more than 17,000 Americans died from lung cancer caused by inhalation of these carcinogens at work.
Brown Lung Disease
Byssinosis, also known as brown lung disease, is caused by long-term inhalation of dust from hemp, flax, and cotton processing. In this chronic condition, obstruction of the small airways severely impairs lung function.
Black Lung Disease
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease, is caused by the inhalation of coal dust. An estimated 4.5 percent of coal miners are affected. Fortunately, a majority of those with this exposure have normal lung function if they are nonsmokers, even if they have x-ray changes. About 0.2% have scarring on the lungs, the most severe form of the disease.
Asbestosis
This progressive disease involves scarring of lung tissue as a result of exposure to the microscopic fibers of asbestos.
Silicosis
Silicosis results from exposure to free crystalline silica in mines, foundries, blasting operations, and stone, clay, and glass manufacturing. Silicosis substantially raises the risk of other types of lung disease, particularly tuberculosis. Each year about 300 people die with silicosis listed as the cause of death on their death certificates, a rate that has been stable since the mid 1980s. About 1.6 million workers are believed to have been exposed to silica dust, and almost 60,000 are expected to suffer from some degree of silicosis.
Asthma
Occupational asthma occurs when a worker is exposed to substances such as dusts, vapors, gases, or fumes that trigger an asthma attack. Alternatively, workers may develop allergies to substances they work with. Occupational asthma represents about 15% of the cases of adult asthma.
Where To Get More Information
For more information, try these online resources.
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