Any of a group of lung diseases caused by the inhalation of certain mineral dusts. Only dust particles less than 0.005 mm across reach the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. The particles accumulate and may cause thickening and scarring. The main types of pneumoconiosis are asbestosis (see asbestos-related diseases), coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, caused by silica dust. These diseases primarily affect workers aged over 50. However, the incidence is falling due to better preventive measures.Pneumoconiosis is often detected by a chest X-ray before symptoms develop.
The main symptom is shortness of breath.
In severe cases, cor pulmonale or emphysema may develop.
The risk of tuberculosis or lung cancer is increased following asbestos or haematite exposure.
Diagnosis is based on a history of exposure to dusts, chest X-rays, medical examination, and pulmonary function tests.
There is no treatment apart from treating any complications.
Further exposure to dust must be avoided.
The general name applied to a chronic form of in?ammation of the LUNGS which is liable to affect people who constantly inhale irritating particles at work. It has been de?ned by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council as: ‘Permanent alteration of lung structure due to the inhalation of mineral dust and the tissue reactions of the lung to its presence, but does not include bronchitis and emphysema.’ Some of the tradespeople liable to suffer are stonemasons, potters, steel-grinders, coal-miners, millers, and workers in cotton, ?ax, or wool mills. (See also OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, MEDICINE AND DISEASES; TUBERCULOSIS.)
n. a group of lung diseases caused by inhaling dust. The dust particles must be less than 0.5 ?m 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 (see coal-worker’s pneumoconiosis), silica (see silicosis), and asbestos (see asbestosis) produces most of the cases of pneumoconiosis. In Britain such cases are examined by the Medical Boarding Centres (Respiratory Diseases), on whose advice statutory compensation for industrial injury may be awarded.
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