Environmental Lung Diseases (Pneumoconiosis)

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Invironmental lung diseases are certain pulmonary diseases for which environmental exposure or occupational conditions are responsible.
asbestos lung, asbestos lung cancer, asbestos lung disease, asbestos lung mesothelioma,
Mineral dust may give rise to restrictive lung diseases. There may be bronchial asthma called occupational asthma in which there is obstructive lung disease which is reversible.
Diagnostic procedures for pneumoconiosis are – chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI, heavy metal concentration in urine, bacteriology, fungal studies, serology, lung biopsy asbestos lung disease, asbestos lung mesothelioma,asbestos lung, asbestos lung cancer,

asbestos lung cancer, asbestos lung disease, asbestos lung mesothelioma,
Asbestosis occurs in workers involved in building, boiler maker, ‘pipes, insulation materials, painters, electricians, fiber glass.
Asbestos includes Silicates, chrysolite and other organic materials involved in mining, milling and quarry work.
There is pulmonary fibrosis, cancers of respiratory tract, pleura, peritoneum.
There is typically diffuse interstitial fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
There is reduction in diffusion capacity. There is thickening and calcification of parietal pleura especially at the bases. There may be pleural effusion.
X-ray shows irregular or linear opacities in lower lung fields. HRCT (High resolution computerized tomography) shows distinct changes.
Smoking and asbestosis increases incidence of lung cancer many times.
Lung cancers in asbestosis are – Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, mesotheliomas, asbestos lung mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, asbestos lung disease, asbestos lung mesothelioma,

Free silica or crystalline quartz exposure is common in mining, stone cutting, glass and ceme.nt manufacturing.
There is fibrosis, PMF (progressive massive fibrosis), silico tuberculosis.
There are small rounded opacities in upper lobes, hilar adenopathy, calcification of hilar nodes (egg-shell pattern).
There is progressive nodular fibrosis.
There is restrictive as well as obstructive lung disease.
It leads to ventilatory failure.
Silico-tuberculosis is the term used for patients of silicosis with M. tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections.
X-ray, CT are diagnostic.

There is acute pneumonitis and chronic granulomatous disease. It is due to exposure to beryllium in workers involved in manufacture of alloys, ceramics, hi-tech electronics.
There is restrictiv Lung disease as in Sarcoidosis.

There is fibrosis, and small, round, regular opacities ~ the lung and nodular fibrosi~.
Calcification is not seen.
It is found in coal workers in coal mining with exposure to coal dust.
It is a mild disease.
Chest x-ray shows nodules from 1 cm to entire lobe. Caplan’s syndrome includes pneumoconiosis of coal workers, rheumatoid arthritis and PMF (progressive massive fibrosis). This syndrome is due to immunopathologic causes.

Byssinosis is a disease in persons exposed to cotton, flax, or hemp, especially those involved with blowing and straightening the fibers.
There is tightness in the chest especially on Mondays that is first work day of the week, decrease in FEV₁, obstructive lung disease and bronchospasm.
Chest x-ray may show round, irregular, small or big opacities which may obscure (hide) lung markings.

is avoiding exposure, and antihistamines. The disease is severe in cigarette-smokers.

Many inorganic and organic dusts can cause environmental lung diseases.
Examples of Inorganic dusts – Antimony, arsenic, cadmium, cement, chromium, mica, iron, graphite.
Examples of Organic dusts – Cotton, grains, hay.

Acid fumes (sulphuric and nitric acid), ammonia, cyanides, formaldehyde, ozone, sulphur dioxide, phosgene.