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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
National action plans and strategies for silicosis/dust diseases
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 Pneumoconiosis

Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumoconiosis often depend on how severe the disease is. Simple CWP may have no or few symptoms and show up only on an X-ray. PMF may cause mild to severe difficulty breathing. Symptoms may include:

  • Cough
  • Lots of phlegm
  • Shortness of breath

Diagnosis

You may be diagnosed with pneumoconiosis if you have lung symptoms, X-ray abnormalities, and a history of working around coal, asbestos, or silica. You may also be diagnosed by having a routine X-ray during the time you are employed. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Acts require that all underground coal miners be offered a chest X-ray after three years and then at five-year intervals to look for the disease. Your doctor may use any of these to help make a diagnosis:

  • Personal history of work exposure
  • Physical examination
  • Chest X-ray or CT scan to look for lung nodules, masses and interstitial disease
  • CT scan of the chest
  • Pulmonary function studies, including blood gasses
  • Biopsy

Treatment

Pneumoconiosis can’t be cured. Once the disease has been diagnosed, treatment is aimed at keeping it from getting worse and controlling your symptoms. A treatment plan may include:

  • Not smoking
  • Avoiding all dust exposure
  • Using oxygen
  • Taking medications called bronchodilators that open lung passages

Complications

The main complication is when simple pneumoconiosis progresses to PMF. These are other possible complications:

  • Progressive respiratory failure
  • Lung cancer
  • Tuberculosis (but this is now rare)
  • Heart failure caused by pressure inside the lungs

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor if you have shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or a cough that produces lots of phlegm.

Living with pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis is a chronic, long-term, lung disease. Learn as much as you can about your illness and work closely with your medical team. Consider these tips to better manage your health:

  • Get a flu shot every year to help protect your lungs and ask your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine.
  • Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke.
  • Ask your doctor if a pulmonary rehabilitation program could help you.
  • Try to get regular exercise and plenty of sleep.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet. Try frequent, smaller meals if a full stomach makes it harder to breathe.
  • Struggling to breathe can make you feel anxious and stressed. Talk about your feelings and seek help from a mental health professional if necessary.
  • Consider joining a support group.

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