Lung Diseases

Respiratory hazards can result in short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) lung disease. One category of lung diseases is pneumoconiosis, which encompasses many conditions caused by dust inhalation. Some of these are as follows:

• Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of asbestos and results in the inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. Asbestosis caused 2,859 deaths across all industries in the United States from 1990 to 1999.
• Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis (CWP), or "black lung," is caused by inhaling coal dust. It results in inflammation, fibrosis, and the death of lung tissue. CWP caused 4,893 work-related deaths from 1990 to 1999 in the US.
• Silicosis is caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust and results in nodular lesions (bumps and cuts) in the lung tissue. It caused 881 work-related deaths in the US from 1990 to 1999.
• Byssinosis is caused by inhaling cotton dust during textile manufacturing. It can narrow the airways, causing breathing difficulties, lung scarring, and respiratory failure. Byssinosis caused 81 work-related deaths in the US from 1990 to 1999.
• Other pneumoconioses caused 1,440 deaths between 1990 and 1999.
• Malignant mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos. Workplace-related mesothelioma caused 541 worker deaths in the US from 1990 to 1999.
• Hypersensitive pneumonitis is an overactive immune response to certain particles, such as paints, molds, plastics, or even detergents. The immune reaction causes the lungs to become inflamed, resulting in fever, coughing, breathlessness, and headaches. The chronic form of this disease can result in bronchitis, weight loss, and loss of lung volume. Complications from work-related hypersensitive pneumonitis caused 122 worker deaths in the US between 1990 and 1999.
• Asthma is a chronic condition that results in episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Asthma attacks can be triggered by high concentrations of airborne particles and, in some cases, is caused by long exposure to atmospheric hazards such as cotton dust. Asthma accounted for 1,868 work-related deaths in the US between 1990 and 1999.

To learn more about Respiratory Protection visit our Cal/OSHA Respiratory Protection Online Training web page.