PNEUMOCONIOSIS (January)

Hello everyone, today I'm going to highlight a topic entitle "Pneumoconiosis" and this is 99.99% originally from me (not copy paste directly from any other website). This is what I understand after studied in 4th semester.

PNEUMOCONIOSIS
--> Pneumoconiosis is a chronic lung disease caused due to the inhalation of various forms of dust particles, particularly in industrial workplaces, for an extended period of time and which affects workers who are regularly exposed to dust from graphite, coal or man made carbon.
--> It is also known as Black Lung Disease. Hence it is also said to be an occupational lung disease, which are a particular subdivision of occupational related diseases that are related primarily to being exposed to harmful substances, whether they are gas or dusts, in the work place, and the pulmonary disorders that may result from it.
--> These irritating mineral dust enter the lungs which triggers lung inflammation leading to temporary damage in some areas of the lungs. If not diagnosed early this condition may progress and form tough, fibrous tissue deposits which will interfere with the normal exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body.
--> The severity and type of pneumoconiosis depends on what the dust particles comprise of; for example, small amounts of certain substances, such as asbestos and silica, can lead to serious reactions, while others may not be as harmful. Graphite, tin, barium, chromate, clay, iron, and coal dusts are other inorganic substances known to produce pneumoconiosis, although silica exposure is also involved in many cases.
--> Asbestos, beryllium, and aluminium dusts can cause a more severe pneumoconiosis, often after relatively brief exposure to massive amounts of dust.
-->There are two types of pneumoconiosis:—
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) and Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF). In this type of disease: the lung is damaged (in this case, by coal dust); the walls of the air sacs are inflamed; and the lung stiffens from scarring of the tissue between the air sacs.

CAUSES OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS
a) Coal duct inhalation
b) Tin exposure (Tin is an element used mainly in steel can coatings, copper wire coating and solder, bronze and pewter.)
c) Barium exposure (Barium is an element used in fireworks, glassmaking, contrast X-rays and in the electronics industry.)
d) Iron oxide exposure
e) Industrial dust
f) Coal miners
g) Mining

SIGNS AND SYMPTOM
a) Respiratory problems
b) Breathlessness
c) Cough
d) Chest pain
e) Cyanosis
f) Bronchitis

PREVENTION AND RECOMMENDATION
-->The person at risk should be removed from the site of exposure and wear protective masks in event of exposure to the dust.
-->Affected patients with lung fibrosis will require treatment with oxygen and sometimes Corticosteroids medication may need to be added.
-->Preventive measures include stopping smoking, and giving pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations.
-->Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis (CWP) can be prevented by suppressing coal dust at the coal face. Despite long-standing regulations, exposures continue to occur in the mining trade. Respiratory masks provide only limited protection.
-->Drinking plenty of water will help flush out the toxins that you may have inhaled during your work which can help reduce your risk of suffering pneumoconiosis.