Other lung diseases due to dust

Abstract

Dusts met with in industry may give rise to a wide variety of reactions in the respiratory tract of workers exposed to them. The main types are tabulated below: - Mineral Dusts 1. Nose and throat irritation and ulceration: Bichromates, alkalis, arsenical compounds, etc. 2. Pneumonitis: Manganese, cadmium, etc. 3. Asthma: Salts of platinum. 4. Granulomata: Beryllium. 5. Carcinoma: Arsenic, chromates, asbestos. 6. Pneumoconiosis-(a) Without organic change: Iron, tin. (b) With focal emphysema: Coal, coke. (c) With fibrosis (i) Nodular: Silica; (ii) Diffuse: Asbestos. Vegetable Dusts 1. Acute general-Mill fever: Cotton, flax, hemp, etc. 2. Acute and semi-acute respiratory (probably infections)-Thresher's lung, weaver's cough, bagassosis, etc.: Grain, cotton, bagasse. 3. Monday fever: Cotton, flax. 4. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema-Byssinosis, hackler's cough: Cotton, flax. 5. Acute asthma: Seeds, grain, flour, wood dust. Animal Dusts 1. Acute asthma: Feathers, etc. 2. Infections: Pulmonary anthrax. It is suggested that the possible association of respiratory disease and occupation should be more frequently borne in mind. In doubtful cases help in investigating any such association could readily be obtained from the Medical Inspectors of the Factory Department in the case of factory workers, or the Ministry of Fuel and Power in the case of miners.