A lung disease in which fibrous tissue forms in the lungs because the person has inhaled particles of stone or dust over a long period of time.
Any lung disease caused by chronic inhalation of dust, usually of occupational origin; types of pneumoconiosis includes abestosis, anthracosis, siderosis, and silicosis.
Progressive lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to metallic or mineral dusts, frequently seen as an occupational exposure; symptoms include progressive lung irritation, cough, dyspnea, malaise, and frequent respiratory infections.
Inflammatory lung diseases caused by the long-term inhalation of naturally occurring or synthetic mineral dusts, such as coal or silica dust. There may be no symptoms, or there may be coughing and shortness of breath. If the disease becomes severe and progressive, it can cause massive pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), a severe cough, and disabling shortness of breath.
Diseases produced by the inhalation of and lung tissue reaction to naturally occurring or synthetic mineral dusts. Pneumoconiosis in coal miners is also known as black lung disease or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis. This form of the disease occurs as a result of continuous inhalation of coal dust over long periods, usually 10 years or more. The coal dust accumulates around the small airways, or bronchioles, in the lungs and spreads throughout the lungs, showing up as small dots on a chest X ray. When workers are exposed to silica dust, the pneumoconiosis may progress in a few cases to a more serious disease called progressive massive pulmonary fibrosis, which scars large areas of the lungs. The tissue and blood vessels in the lungs can be destroyed by this scarring. Caplan syndrome, a rare disorder in which pneumoconiosis is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, causes large nodules of inflammation in the lungs.
A lung disease caused by inhaling dust. The dust particles must be less than 0.5 μn in diameter to reach the depths of the lung and there is usually a long period after initial exposure before shadows appear on the chest X-ray and breathlessness develops. In practice industrial exposure to coal dust (anthracosis), silica (see silicosis), and asbestos (see asbestosis) produces most of the cases of pneumoconiosis.
The general name applied to a chronic form of inflammation of the lungs which is liable to affect people who constantly inhale irritating particles at work. Some of the tradespeople liable to suffer are stone-masons, potters, steel grinders, coal-miners, millers, and workers in cotton, flax, or wool mills.
Any disease of the respiratory tract owing to inhalation of dust particles; an occupational disorder such as that caused by mining or stonecutting.
A chronic lung ailment resulting from the inhalation of silica particles or comparable substances, which progressively impairs lung function, is known as silicosis or pneumoconiosis.
Pertaining to a collection of lung ailments triggered by inhaling specific mineral dusts. Dust particles measuring less than 0.005 mm in diameter can access the lung’s air sacs, where they might amass and lead to thickening and scarring. This outcome can result in reduced efficiency of the lungs in delivering oxygen to the bloodstream.
The primary forms of pneumoconiosis include asbestosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, which stems from exposure to silica dust. These conditions predominantly impact individuals aged over 50 who work in specific industries. Nonetheless, the occurrence of these diseases is decreasing due to the implementation of improved preventive measures.
The predominant indication of pneumoconiosis is breathlessness. In more advanced instances, the condition can lead to cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure due to lung impairment) or emphysema (the destruction of air sacs within the lungs). Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis elevate the susceptibility to tuberculosis, while asbestosis heightens the risk of lung cancer. Smoking further amplifies these risks.
Pneumoconiosis is frequently identified through a chest X-ray even before symptoms emerge. Diagnosis additionally relies on a patient’s dust exposure history, medical assessment, and pulmonary function evaluations.
No specific treatment exists for the condition except managing any resulting complications. It’s imperative to prevent further exposure to dust in order to avoid exacerbating the condition.
A persistent lung inflammation resulting from inhaling mineral dust; a work-related ailment in specific professions.