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e-Toolkit

Silicosis and dust-related diseases

A note from our CEO
Section I: Taking action to eliminate silicosis and dust-related diseases
Ideal management approaches
Current challenges and uncertainties
National action plans and strategies for silicosis/dust diseases
Potential issues arising from action
Section II: Country summaries, case studies and resources
Silica country summaries – Australia
Silica country summaries – International
Pneumoconiosis case studies
Research on silicosis and dust-related diseases
Section III: What silica and other occupational dusts are and the risks they pose
Mineralogical features of silica
Other dust/fume-related exposures
Exposure pathways
Historical progression of silica and other dust-related diseases
Section IV: Health impacts of exposure to asbestos
What are dust/fume-related diseases?
How are dust-related diseases diagnosed?
Clinical features of silicosis and other dust-related diseases
Patient support, care and information
Reporting, coding and registration of occupational dust-related diseases

Diagnosis of other dust/fume-related diseases

Respiratory problems Occupational and environmental exposures

Background

The respiratory tract comes into contact with approximately 14 000 litres of air during a standard working week. The quality of the air we breathe has major implications for our respiratory health. Any part of the respiratory tract, from the nose to the alveoli, may be adversely affected by exposure to airborne contaminants.

Objective

This article outlines some common occupational and environmental exposures that can lead to respiratory problems.

Discussion

Some of the effects of exposures may be immediate, whereas others such as asbestos-related lung disease may not present for many decades. Airborne contaminants may be the primary cause of respiratory disease or can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion and question their patients with breathing problems about occupational and environmental exposures, especially in the setting of new onset symptoms.

The respiratory tract is a primary interface of our bodies with the outside world. It comes into contact with 14 000 litres of air during a 40 hour working week and physical activity can increase ventilation 12-fold.1 The quality of the air we breathe therefore has major implications for the health of the respiratory tract. Although approximately 25% of our time is spent in the workplace, this environment is more likely to be the cause of exposure-related respiratory problems because, generally, air quality will be poorer at work than in the domestic environment.2

Air contaminants may be dusts, gases, vapours or fumes. Any part of the respiratory tract can be adversely affected by poor air quality, from the nose to the alveoli. The site affected within the respiratory tract depends on the integrity of defense mechanisms and the properties of the air contaminants (Figure 1). Other determinants include individual susceptibility and the intensity and duration of the exposure.

Summary

Nearly all respiratory diseases can be caused or exacerbated by environmental exposures. The identification and control of relevant exposures has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and protect others from the development of respiratory disease. Clinicians should regularly take an occupational and environmental history to identify possible exposures associated with breathing problems.

Reference

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - Respiratory problems Occupational and environmental exposures

Ryan F Hoy – Volume 41, Issue 11, November 2012

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