Occupational Lung Disorders - Know Everything!

Occupational lung diseases can be prevented by taking proper precautions at work like avoiding smoking, wearing masks to prevent smoke and dust to get inhaled through the air. A respirator can also be used that helps in cleaning the air before inhaling it. This device needs to be cleaned after every use. Other safety precautions must also be followed to prevent occupational lung disease.

Silicosis is an occupational lung disorder caused when crystalline silica is inhaled in substantial quantity. Crystalline silica is usually airborne and is mainly present in foundries, mines, blasting operations and other manufacturing industries like glass, clay and stone. Silicosis affects the lungs by scarring the lung tissue thereby, causing it to stiffen.

Byssinosis, asbestosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis are occupational lung diseases caused due to inhaling tiny particles of asbestos, cotton, flax and hemp during their processing and due to allergy by inhaling fungal spores or bacteria present in the sir.

Black lung disease is also known as coal worker s pneumoconiosis and is caused by inhaling fine coal dust. Prolonged inhalation of coal dust causes gradual scarring of the lung tissue making the tissue stiff. Stiffening of lung tissue will permanently lead to shortness of breath and lung damage.