Be Aware of Occupational Lung Diseases!

Work is a human effort to fulfill life's needs by earning income. Health problems can also arise in the workplace, this is because there is a potential hazard in the form of exposure to workers that can affect health conditions. This danger can come from many things such as the work environment, work methods and tools used when working. In addition, health problems are also closely related to the amount of exposure time while working, the longer the exposure, the greater the risk that will be caused.

Causes of Occupational Diseases

• Physics

Extreme temperatures, noise, lighting, vibration, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and air pressure.

• Chemistry

All chemicals in the form of dust, steam, metal vapor, gas, solution, mist, nano particles and others.

• Biology

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, bioaerosols and others.

• Ergonomics

Heavy lifting, awkward working positions, static working positions, repetitive movements, lighting, Visual Display Terminal (VDT) and others.

• Psychosocial

Qualitative and quantitative workload, work organization, monotonous work, interpersonal relationships, shift work, work location and others.

What is Occupational Lung Disease?

Occupational Lung Disease is lung disease or damage caused by irritating materials such as dust/smoke/fibers/harmful gases inhaled by workers at their work place. This disease may take a long time (> 10-20 years) to develop and appear as a disease after a person quits his job. Clinical symptoms of COPD are similar to other lung diseases that are not related to work.

Classification of Occupational Lung Disease:

• Upper airway irritation that can be caused by irritant gases, vapors and dust.
• Airway abnormalities. The causative agent can be; diisocyanates, anhydrous, wood dust, animal allergens, latex, Gas Irritants, smoke, Cotton Dust, Grains, Mineral dust, coal, steam and dust
• Acute inhalation injury The causative agent can be; Irritant Gases, Metals, Metal Oxides, Zinc, Copper, Plastics and Combustion Products Toxic Pneumonitis Metal Vapor Fever Polymer Vapor Fever Smoke Inhalation
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis / inflammation of the lung parenchyma (alveoli, terminal bronchioles, interstitial) which can be caused by bacteria, fungi, animal proteins
• Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, viruses, or those caused by bacteria
• Pneumoconiosis / accumulation of dust in the lungs resulting in tissue rx. The causative materials can be asbestos, silica, coal, beryllium, and cobalt
• Malignancy in the lungs that can be caused by wood dust, asbestos, radon, silica Asbestos Sinonasal cancer Lung cancer Mesothelioma Including air pollution

How to Prevent Occupational Lung Disease

• Primary Prevention

intervene before health impacts occur, and eliminate exposure to risk factors

• Secondary prevention

identify the disease at an early stage before symptoms appear

• Tertiary prevention

Occupational disease management after diagnosis is established to stop, slow progression, carry out rehabilitation and screening for complications

So Hermina Friends , it is important for us to detect and diagnose work-related diseases so that the hazards and impact of work on body health, especially the lungs, can be prevented and treated with proper treatment.