Pneumoconiosis is a chronic lung disease. This occurs when people inhale various forms of dust particles, particularly in industries. This condition mostly occurs in coal mine employees. This condition causes lung inflammation and damages lungs gradually. In turn, damage results in fibrosis. Fibrosis is a condition where lungs become stiff. This condition causes breathing difficulties.
TYPES OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS:
The following are some types of pneumoconiosis:
- Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis: This is also called black lung disease. This condition is caused when a person is exposed to carbon particles of lamp black, graphite or coal for long periods. This mostly affects coalminers. This condition is similar to smoking tobacco for long periods. If coal dust is inhaled for long periods, it gets accumulated in the lungs and causes lung inflammation. Body cannot remove these dust particles from the lungs and thus, leads to fibrosis.
In initial stages, this condition is called anthracosis. Usually, this is asymptotic and occurs in people living in urban areas due to air pollution.
- Asbestosis: This is caused when an individual inhales fibrous minerals that asbestos is made up of. People who collect and pack asbestos are more affected with this condition. Workers who manufacture cement, tiles and insulation material are also affected with this disease. Usually, it takes nearly 20 years to establish the asbestosis symptoms to manifest.
- Silicosis: This condition can be noticed in people who handle silica, particularly quartz. Quartz is found in sand, sandstone, slate, graphite and certain types of clays. This condition later leads to lung fibrosis that progress slowly and impairs lung functioning. The situation worsens in people who smoke tobacco.
- Berylliosis: This is caused due to inhalation of beryllium dust.
- Siderosis: This is caused when people inhale dust of iron.
- Bauxite fibrosis: Caused by inhaling dust of bauxite.
- Byssinosis: This is caused by inhaling coal dust. This condition is noted in coalminers.
