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OCCUPATIONS AT RISK

Many types of work are associated with health hazards, and the lungs are among the most vulnerable parts of the body to airborne threats. Exposure to some substances can lead to occupational lung disease and in some cases lung cancer. Occupations especially at risk are: coal miners, farmers, asbestos workers, workers with epoxy resins or isocyanates. Other jobs associated with an increased risk of occupational lung disease include: construction carpentry baking soldering laboratory work hairdressing bird breeding milling drug manufacture nursing food processing textiles forestry horticulture metalworking

IRRITANTS
The tubes which carry air in and out of our lungs are called bronchi Many types of fumes and dusts can irritate the bronchi, stimulating increased mucus production and leading to cough and phlegm. People who already have a lung problem, such as asthma or bronchitis, are more susceptible to the effects of irritants. 

Asthma causes the airways in the lungs to become narrower from time to time. It is called occupational asthma where the symptoms are brought on, or made worse, by something in the air at work. Wheezing and breathlessness are the usual symptoms; these are often worse at work, and better when away from work - particularly for long periods, such as holidays.

Unlike asthma, which affects the bronchi, allergic alveolitis damages the alveoli. Byssinosis is yet another type of lung disease, and can occur in people processing raw cotton. The chest feels tight, with coughing or breathlessness.

DISEASE CAUSED BY INHALATION AND RETENTION OF DUST
Most dust that is inhaled is trapped in the layer of mucus which lines the bronchi. .Small quantities of dust in the lungs may cause no serious harm. Conditions in some industries in the past, however, meant that workers breathed in huge quantities of dust on a regular basis and developed one of the types of pneumoconiosis. Pneumoconiosis is fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs caused by certain types of dust. 
 

Cancer
Some inhaled substances can increase the risk of lung cancer. Tobacco smoke (including other people’s) is the most obvious example. Heavy exposure to asbestos may cause lung cancer, and asbestosis also causes a tumour of the pleura (the outer membrane of the lung) called mesothelioma. Radon gas, also increases the risk of lung cancer.

HOW TO RECOGNISE OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE

• Have you noticed any change in your breathing or sputum production?
• Do you become breathless on exertion?
• Do you seem to cough for several weeks after a cold?
• Are your finger nails changing shape or of a bluish tinge?
• Are your symptoms worse during the working week and
 

Improve or disappear during weekends or holidays?
If the answer is yes to one or more of the above questions you could be suffering from a lung disease that may possibly be related to your occupation. A visit to your general practitioner may reassure you that all is well or you may be referred to a specialist.

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