For all of these diseases patients can claim compensation through Industrial Injuries Act
Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
A common dust disease in countries that have/had sub-terrain coal mines
- Inhalation of coal particles over 15-20 years. These are ingested by macophages which die releasing their enzymes causing fibrosis
- Coexisting chronic bronchitis is common.
- CXR - many round opacities (1-10mm) especially in upper zone
- Treat bronchitis
Progressive massive fibrosis
- Due to progression of CWP
- Fibrosis, dyspnoea and eventually cor pulmonale
- CXR - typically bilateral fibrotic masses (1-10cm) that develop from periphery towards hilum
Silicosis
Inhalation of silica particles which are very fibrinogenic
- Metal mining, stone quarrying, sandblasting, pottery and ceramic manufacture
- Progressive dyspnoea, incidence of TB
- CXR diffuse miliary or nodular pattern in upper/mid-zones with egg shell calcification of hilar nodes
Asbestosis
Inhalation of asbestos fibres. It was used for fire proofing, pipe lagging, electrical wire insulation and roof felt
- Similar to other fibrotic lung diseases
- Also causes pleural plaques and increases risk of bronchial adenocarcinoma and pleural mesothelioma
Others
- Bird-fancier’s lung is a reaction to bird droppings
- Farmer’s lung is a reaction to mouldy spores in hay
- Mushroom worker’s lung is a reaction to specific mushroom antigens
- Malt worker’s lung is a reaction to mould on barley**