Occupational lung diseases are respiratory disorders associated with, or resulting due to, a person’s occupation or job. These mainly arise due to acute or chronic exposure to irritants like asbestos, arsenic, coal dust, chlorine, etc.
Lungs are the major respiratory organs of the body. A person breathes in oxygen around 25,000 times a day. When a person suffers from an ailment related to the lung, he/she has difficulty in breathing. ‘Occupational Lung Disease’ refers to the branch of diseases, which include the respiratory problems a person suffers, as a result of his/her occupation. Any person who is exposed to high levels of toxic substances or irritants like coal dust, silicon, asbestos, and barium, can be affected by acute or chronic lung diseases.
Different types of occupational lung diseases affect different areas of the lungs. Each condition is different, and results in different consequences. Some conditions affect the airways which carry the air in and out of our lungs, while some conditions affect the tiny air sacs which diffuse oxygen in the bloodstream.
Occupational Lung Cancer
Acute and chronic exposure to asbestos, arsenic, ionizing radiation, nickel, etc., causes lung cancer that starts in the different tissues of the lungs. Mesothelioma of the chest is one such cancer. It refers to the cancer that begins in the mesothelial cells of the pleura, and is generally the result of high asbestos exposure. It spreads to the space between the pleural layers, causing pain and difficulty during breathing.
Who is at risk?
- Asbestos manufacturing workers
- Thermal insulation engineers
- Building workers
- Gas fitters
- Carpenters
- Electricians
Occupational Asthma
Asthma is a condition which affects the airways. The sensitive airways become irritated due to the continuous presence of irritants. This causes the airways to produce more mucus, causing difficulty in breathing.
Who is at risk?
- People working in bakeries and confectioneries.
- People in the electrical industry doing soldering jobs.
- People in the paint and plastic industry, and coming in contact with isocyanates.
- People in the natural rubber latex glove factories.
Occupational asthma may worsen during certain shifts at the workplace, and may get better when the person is away from work. Along with occupational asthma, rhinitis – a condition that causes a blocked or runny nose – may also be observed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
This set of diseases includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In this long-term problem, the airways are damaged, and become narrower. This causes difficulty in the passage of air in and out of the lungs.
Who is at risk?
- Coal miners
- Shipyard welders
- People working with cadmium
- People exposed to dust and fumes in other industries may also be at risk.
Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis
Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis is also called Black Lung Disease. It is caused by inhalation of coal dust. The dust becomes embedded in the lungs, causing them to harden. This makes it very difficult to breathe. It may lead to scarring of the lungs, which is a very severe form of disease.
Who is at risk?
It affects coal miners, as is evident from the name.
Silicosis
Silicosis, also known as Potter’s rot or Grinder’s disease is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. It causes scarring of the lungs, and formation of nodules in the upper part of the lungs. The symptoms of acute form of silicosis include shortness of breath, fever, and bluish skin.
Who is at risk?
- Miners
- Foundry workers
- People working in stone, clay, and glass manufacturing units
- People involved in sandblasting
- Quarry workers
People working with hazardous materials or in places that emit toxic substances, must visit a general practitioner or a lung specialist for a regular physical checkup. They may carry out certain tests like X-ray, PFT and blood tests. People working with asbestos may require a CT scan. A regular checkup will help in the early detection of occupational lung diseases, and may avoid major complications.
