Ornitorrin Medical Tips

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. Read the rest of this entry »