Occupational lung disease

Occupational exposure to a variety of inhaled substances may be associated with the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Enquiring about current and previous employment is an important part of clinical assessment. Coal workers, miners and stonemasons are some examples of occupations at risk of developing occupational lung disease.

Asbestosis, coal worker’s pneumoconiosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis can occur following exposure to asbestos, coal dust, and a mix of coal and silica dust, respectively. Historically, these have been the most prevalent occupational lung diseases and stringent workplace safety measures have been established to minimise the risk of developing these diseases. For information on malignant pleural mesothelioma associated with asbestos exposure, see Malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Silicosis results from exposure to crystalline silica, now most commonly encountered during the manufacturing of artificial stone bench tops. Cutting of these products, particularly without water suppression or adequate respiratory protection, results in exposure to very high concentrations of respirable silica.

Silicosis ranges from asymptomatic, multiple small pulmonary nodules and calcified lymph nodes, through to progressive massive fibrosis. Deaths from silicosis have been reported in Australia.

Due to the increasing awareness and case numbers of silicosis, government workplace safety organisations have developed online resources for potentially affected individuals, including health screening. Online resources are available at:

• Safe Work Australia (National)
• WorkCover Queensland
• WorkSafe Victoria
• SafeWork New South Wales
• SafeWork South Australia
• WorkCover Western Australia
• WorkSafe ACT
• Northern Territory WorkSafe
• WorkSafe Tasmania.

The Lung Foundation Australia website also publishes patient information on silica and silicosis.