Occupational Lung Diseases

Occupational lung diseases are a collection of lung pathologies that result from environmental, specifically occupational, exposures. Inhaled dust can result in a range of tissue injury in the lungs and lead to significant respiratory insufficiency, causing death. Although diseases such as silicosis, berylliosis, asbestosis, and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis are less prevalent today than decades ago, new antigens are constantly being produced in occupational environments, leading to a rise in incidence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Imaging, particularly high-resolution computed tomography, is central to the management of occupational lung disease and is useful in diagnosis, assessment of disease activity, and evaluating response to therapy.