Occupational Lung Diseases

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease that results from the inhalation and deposition of mineral dusts and other inorganic particles in the lung. It can be categorized according to the type of causative particle involved or by the type of response provoked. Coal, silica, asbestos, and talc are the classic fibrogenic types, while beryllium provokes a granulomatous response, and cobalt is associated with giant cell pneumonia. Iron, tin, and barium are considered benign or inert particle types because they do not cause the same type of reactions as the others. After exposure to the fibrogenic types of particles, macrophages and fibroblasts become activated within the pulmonary parenchyma leading to chronic inflammation and fibrosis, which can progress to respiratory failure and death. Occupational history and chest X-rays are the mainstays of diagnosis and staging. Management is mainly symptomatic.

Inhalation of Beryllium (Be) dust, or its vapors or compounds, or subcutaneous implantation of Beryllium can lead to either acute or chronic beryllium disease, also known as berylliosis. It can affect genetically susceptible individuals or workers exposed to the fumes or vapors of the metal. It was first described by Hardy and Tabershaw in 1946. Beryllium can cause either an immediate acute form of illness or insidious chronic berylliosis.

Occupational lung disease covers a specific area of knowledge in respiratory medicine. In these cases, information on the patients's history play an important role in the detection of these disorders, guiding investigations and management. Awareness of this topic is essential.