Describe occupational lung diseases.
Answers
What are work-related lung diseases?
Work-related lung diseases are lung problems that are made worse in certain work environments. They are caused by long-term exposure to certain irritants that are breathed into the lungs. These lung diseases may have lasting effects, even after the exposure ends.
Particles in the air from many sources cause these lung problems. These sources include factories, smokestacks, exhaust, fires, mining, construction, and agriculture. The smaller the particles are, the more damage they can do to the lungs. Smaller particles are easily inhaled deep into the lungs. There, they are absorbed into the body instead of being coughed out:
Asbestosis. This condition is caused when a person breathes in tiny asbestos fibers. Over time, this leads to lung scarring and stiff lung tissue. It’s often linked with construction work.
Coal worker's pneumoconiosis or black lung disease. This is caused by inhaling coal dust. It causes lung inflammation and scarring. This can cause long-lasting (permanent) lung damage and shortness of breath.
Silicosis. This condition is caused by breathing in airborne crystalline silica. This is a dust found in the air of mines, foundries, and blasting operations. It is also found in the air of stone, clay, and glass manufacturing facilities. It causes lung scarring. It can also increase the risk for other lung diseases.
Byssinosis. This is caused by breathing in dust from hemp, flax, and cotton processing. It is also known as Brown Lung Disease. The condition is ongoing (chronic). It causes chest tightness and shortness of breath. It affects textile workers, especially those who work with unprocessed cotton.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This is an allergic lung disease. It is caused by a lung inflammation that happens from breathing in many different substances. These include fungus spores, bacteria, animal or plant protein, or certain chemicals. They can come from moldy hay, bird droppings, and other organic dusts. The disease causes inflamed air sacs in the lungs. It leads to fibrous scar tissue in the lungs and trouble breathing. There are different forms of this disease depending on the job. They include cork worker's lung, farmer's lung, and mushroom worker's lung.
Work-related asthma. This is caused by breathing in dusts, gases, fumes, and vapors. It causes asthma symptoms such as a chronic cough and wheezing. This condition can be reversed if found early. You are at higher risk for getting this illness if you work in certain environments. These include manufacturing and processing operations, farming, animal care, food processing, cotton and textile industries, and refining operations.
What causes work-related lung diseases?
Certain types of jobs put you at greater risk for this than others. For instance, working in a car garage or textile factory can expose you to unsafe chemicals, dusts, and fibers.
Most work-related lung diseases are caused by repeated, long-term exposure. But even a severe, single exposure to an unsafe agent can damage the lungs.
Smoking can make this condition worse.
Mark as brainliest
Thanks
Answer :-
"Occupational lung diseases" can be defined as a group of diseases which are caused by either repeated, extended or a single severe exposure to irritating or toxic substances that lead to acute or chronic respiratory ailments.
Extra Information :-
☆ The Occupational lung diseases are classified into the following categories :-
- Diseases that are not occupation-specific, but are aggravated at work (Eg - Occupational asthma)
- Diseases related to a specific occupation. (Eg - Asbestosis, Coal worker's Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis and Farmer's lung)
☆ "Coal worker's Pneumoconiosis" is also known as "Black lung disease".
☆ "Byssinosis" is also known as "Brown lung disease".
☆ Common occupational lung diseases include the following diseases :-
- Occupational asthma
- Mesotheliomia
- Silicosis
- Asbestosis
- Byssinosis