Pneumoconiosis
Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling mineral dust particles, usually when performing high risk work related to the minerals industry. At first, irritating mineral dust can trigger lung inflammation, which causes temporary damage in areas of the lung. Over time, this damage in the areas of the lung may progress to form fibrous tissue deposits. This stage of pneumoconiosis is called fibrosis. Fibrosis stiffens the lungs and interferes with the normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.
There are several different types of pneumoconiosis. In the U.S., the most common types include:
Asbestosis: Asbestos is the general name for the family of irritating fibrous minerals that are extracted from underground tanks and used for the production of home insulation, fireproofing materials, floor tiles and shingles for roofing, cladding automobile brakes and other products. Workers with high exposure to asbestos include miners, construction workers, demolition workers, ship builders and auto mechanics who work with brakes. Amiento exposure can also affect people who live or work in buildings where building materials containing asbestos is damaged. In most cases, signs of asbestosis do not develop until 20 years later or even longer once the person was first exposed to asbestos dust.
Silicosis: This form of pneumoconiosis affects people who work with silica, usually in the form of quartz that is found in sand, sandstone, some clays, among others. Workers with the highest exposure to silica include workers cleaning metal workpieces with abrasive sand blasting, mining, construction of tunnels, workers crushed silica, excavators and workers handling ceramic or glass. Silicosis can cause progressive fibrosis in the lung with significant decrease in lung function, especially in cigarette smokers.
Pneumoconiosis of coal miners: This form of pneumoconiosis is caused by inhaling carbon particles, graphite or carbon black. Most often affects workers who extract, process or transport coal miners who extract graphite and workers producing synthetic graphite and carbon black. Like silicosis, pneumoconiosis of coal miners can cause significant fibrosis, especially in the miners working for decades with no protective equipment.
Talcum powder pneumoconiosis, is caused by exposure to talc, usually crushed to extract or powder. Pneumoconiosis for talcum powder can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
Pneumoconiosis Kaolin (china clay) is caused by inhaling kaolin, an ingredient used in making ceramics, paper, medicines, cosmetics and toothpaste. Have this risk of pneumoconiosis workers who mined, crushed or kaolin pocket.
Siderosis of the lung: is pneumoconiosis, also known as welder’s lung or silver polisher’s lung is caused by inhaling particles of iron. Although the welder’s lung is often abnormal chest X-rays, usually causes no symptoms.
Other pneumoconioses: less often, pneumoconiosis can be caused by inhaling barium sulfate, tin oxide, carbide-containing compounds (cobalt and tungsten carbide) or other forms of mineral dust.