PNEUMOCONIOSIS

HISTORYIt is likely that humans have suffered from occupational lung disease since the change from hunting to agriculture as a means of providing food.In roman times it was recorded that mining was a dangerous trade, fit only for convicts and slaves.The first recorded mention of breathlessness among handlers of grain was done by Ramazzini, the father of occupational medicine, in 1713.

BERNARDINUS RAMAZZINI

DEFNITION

Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease due to exposure of lung for variable period to dust in size range of 0.5 to 3 microns leading to lung fibrosis and other complications.

HAZARDS OF DUST PARTICLES ON LUNG

Chemical composition Fineness Concentration of dust in air Health status of the person exposed Period of exposure

VARIOUS DUST RELATED DISEASES

Silicosis- from silica dust Asbestosis- from asbestos dust Coal workers pneumoconiosis- from coal dust Byssinosis- from cotton dust Bagassosis- from sugarcane dust Farmer’s lung- from hay dust or mold spores or other agriculture products. Berylliosis- from beryllium

TYPES

Pneumoconiosis is usually divided into three groups:

Major pneumoconiosisMinor pneumoconiosisBenign pneumoconiosis

MAJOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS

Inhalation of some dusts results in “major fibrosis” of the lungs, Which results in interference of lung architecture or lung function tests.

Examples are: Silica- silicosis Asbestos- asbestosis Coal- anthracosis

Healthy lung Silicotic lung

MINOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS

Inhalation of some dusts results in “minor fibrosis” of the lungs. There is minimal fibrosis of the lungs without interference of lung architecture or lung function tests. These dusts include: Mica pneumoconiosis Kaolin(china clay) pneumoconiosis

BENIGN PNEUMOCONIOSIS

There isn’t any reaction in the lungs, but dust deposition casts a shadow in X-ray of the lung. There is no fibrosis and no disturbance of lung functions. It results from inhalation of: Iron dust- siderosis Tin dust- stannosis Calcium dust- chalcosis These deposits in the lung disappear when exposure is discontinued.

SYMPTOMSShortness of breathCoughLots of phlegm

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Prohibit dry cutting Promote wet cutting

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Personal protective equipments:

DIAGNOSISPersonal history of work exposurePhysical examinationChest X-rayCT scan of the chestPulmonary function studiesbiopsy

There are no specific treatments or medications for pneumoconiosis, and there is no cure.

Most treatments for patients with pneumoconiosis are aimed at limiting further damage to the lung, decreasing symptoms and improving quality of life.

TREATMENT

Thank you