Occupational Lung Disease

Lungs take in oxygen from the air during respiration. A person breathes in oxygen around 25,000 times a day. When a person suffers from an ailment related to the lung, he has difficulty in breathing. 'Occupational Lung Disease' refers to the branch of diseases, which are work-related health consequences a person suffers as a result of his occupation. Any person who is exposed to high levels of toxic or irritating substances can be affected by acute or chronic lung diseases. Substances which cause lung diseases are coal dust, silicon, asbestos and barium.

Different types of occupational lung diseases affect different areas of the respiratory system. Each condition is different and results in different consequences. Some conditions affect the 'airways' which carry the air in and out of our lungs. Some conditions affect the tiny air sacs which diffuse oxygen in the blood stream. There are few diseases which also affect the lungs.The common factor which clubs respiratory diseases under one group is that they are all work-related ailments. The method of treatment differs for each of the diseases. Let us know more about occupational lung diseases.

Occupation Lung Cancer
When asbestos is exposed in large quantity, it causes lung cancer that starts in the airway. This form of lung cancer is different from mesothelioma, which is a type of lung cancer caused by long exposure to asbestos in relatively small quantities. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest and abdomen, and is described below:

Mesothelioma of the Chest
There are two layers of the chest. The outer layer is the chest wall and the inner layer lines the lungs. There is a fluid between the two layers which help the lungs and chest to expand during breathing. The tumor grows on the outer lining causing it to thicken. It spreads to the space between the layers, causing pain and difficulty during breathing. The tumor produces large amount of fluid.

Mesothelioma of the Stomach
There is a lining which covers the abdominal cavity and the bowel. Similar to the chest lining, stomach also has two linings. One covers the internal organs and other covers the stomach wall. The tumor spreads on the lining covering the organs, and causes it to thicken. It produces a lot of fluid and causes the stomach to swell.

Who is at risk?

• Laggers
• Asbestos manufacturing workers
• Thermal insulation engineers
• Building workers
• Gas fitters
• Carpenters
• Electricians

Occupational asthma
Asthma is a condition which affects the airways. The sensitive airways become irritated in some situations. It causes the airways to produce more mucus, due to which there is difficulty in breathing.

Who is at risk?

• People working in the bakery industry may become allergic to something in the flour or other additives, causing asthma.
• People in the electrical industry doing soldering jobs.
• People in the paint spray and plastic industry coming in contact with Isocyanates.
• People in the natural latex rubber glove industry.

Occupational asthma may worsen during certain shifts at work place and may get better when the person is away from work. Along with occupational asthma, Rhinitis, a blocked or runny nose, may also be observed.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Commonly called COPD, it includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The airways are damaged, and become narrower. This causes difficulty in the passage of air in and out of the lungs. This is a long-term problem.

Who is at risk?

• Coal-miners
• Shipyard welders
• People working with cadmium
• People exposed to dust and fumes in other industries may also be at risks.

Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis
Coal worker's pneumoconiosis is also called the Black Lung Disease. It is caused by inhalation of coal dust. The dust becomes embedded in the lungs, causing them to harden. This makes it very difficult to breath. It may lead to scarring of the lungs which is a very severe form of disease. It affects coal miners, as it is evident from the name.

Silicosis
Silicosis, also known as Potters rot or Grinders disease is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. It causes scarring of the lungs and formation of nodules in upper part of the lungs. The symptoms of acute form of silicosis is often shortness of breath, fever and bluish skin.

Who is at risk?

• Miners
• Foundry workers
• People working in the stone, clay and glass manufacturing units
• Sandblasting
• Quarry workers

People working with hazardous materials or places which emit toxic or irritating substances, must visit a general practitioner or a lung specialist for a physical check-up. They may carry out certain tests like X-ray, PFT and blood tests. People working with asbestos may require a CT scan. A regular check-up will help in early detection of occupational lung disease, and when treated early will not result in major complications.