Lungs intake oxygen from air while respiring. An individual inhales oxygen for about 25,000 times in a day. A person suffering from any lung disease faces breathing difficulty. “Occupational lung disease” is a branch of diseases that are work related health consequences that an individual suffer from as a result of their occupation. Any individual exposed to high levels of irritating or toxic substances may be affected with chronic or acute lung diseases. Silicon, coal dust barium and asbestos causes lung diseases.
Various types of occupational lung diseases affects various regions of respiratory system. Different conditions have different consequences. Some affects airways that carry air to and fro to the lungs, while some affects the very small air sacs, alveoli that diffuses oxygen into the blood stream. Some disorders affect lungs too. The treatment varies for each condition.
- Occupational Lung Cancer:
Excessive exposure to asbestos leads to lung cancer which starts in the airways. This differs from mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos in small quantities. Mesothelioma lung cancer affects abdomen and chest lining.Mesothelioma of Chest: Chest has two layers. Chest layer is the outer wall and inner layer lines up the lungs. A fluid is present between the two layers for helping the chest and lung to expand while breathing. Tumor develops on the outer layer to make it thicken. This spreads to the space between layers and hence, causes difficulty and pain while breathing. Large amount of fluid is produced by the tumor.
Mesothelioma of Stomach: Abdominal cavity and bowel are covered by a lining. Stomach also has 2 linings, similar to the linings of the chest. One covers the stomach wall while other covers the internal organs. Tumor spreads to the lining that covers the organs. This produces excess amounts of fluids and results in swelling of the stomach.
Following people are at risk:- Gas fitters
- Electricians
- Laggers
- Building workers
- Carpenters
- Thermal insulation engineers
- Asbestos manufacturing workers
- Occupational Asthma:
Asthma affects the airways. In some cases, sensitive airways becomes inflamed. This causes airways to produce more mucus and results in difficulty in breathing.Following people are at risk:
- Workers of bakery industry
- Electricians
- Painters
- Workers of natural latex rubber industry
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
This condition includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Airways are damaged and becomes narrower. This results in difficulty of air passage in and out of lungs.Following people are at higher risk:
- Shipyard welders
- Coal miners
- People exposed to fumes and dust
- People working with cadmium
- Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis:
This is also known as Black Lung Disease. Inhaling the dust of coal results in this condition. Dust accumulates in lungs and makes them harder and thus, causes difficulty in breathing. This leads to lung scarring which is the serious disorder. -
Silicosis:
This is also called “Grinders or Potters rot disease”. This is caused due to breathing the crystalline silica dust. This causes lung scarring and development of nodules in upper part of lungs. Bluish skin, shortness of breath and fever are the symptoms of silicosis.Following people are at risk:
- Quarry workers
- Miners
- Sandblasting
- People working in clay, glass and stone manufacturing units
- Foundry workers
Occupational asthma worsens during some shifts and may recover if the person is away from the work. Rhinitis, runny or blocked nose may be observed along with occupational asthma.
People working in places that emit toxic substances should consult the doctor or a pulmonologist for the check up. They perform pulmonary function test, blood tests and X-ray. CT scan may be required for people working in asbestos. Regular check up helps to detect the occupational lung disease and does not result in complications.
