Occupational and environment health Flashcards
Examples of occupational lung disease:
Occupational asthma COPD Pneumoconiosis Pneumonitis Hypersenstivity pneumonitis Malignant mesothelioma
Occupational vs work-exacerbated =
Occupations = problem developed at work Work-exacerbated = didn't develop at work, made worse by going to work
Examples of causes of occupational asthma:
Baker
Animal products
Pain
Wood dust
What questions should you ask when taking a Hx of occupational asthma?
Are symptoms worse at work?
What are symptoms like in holidays?
Investigations of occupational asthma:
PF diary, see if declines correspond to work
Pneumoconiosis is (obstructive/restrictive)
Restrictive
Pneumoconiosis is common is what professions?
Miners
Coal workers
What causes pneumoconiosis?
Dust
2 types of pneumoconiosis =
Simple
Complicated
Simple pneumoconiosis
Presence of coal macules, cans see in post mortum. Near normal lung function
Complicated pneumoconiosis
Progressive massive fibrosis
Sand dust, stone, glass and quarry work can cause
Silicosis
Is silicosis common?
No - rare
Silicosis leads to what pathologically
Upper lobe nodules, lymph node calcification
Silicosis can predispose patient to
TB
Lung cancer
Asbestosis =
Long term inflammation and scarring of lungs due to asbestos
What does asbestosis resemble?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Lung becomes what in asbestosis?
Small
Stiff
Complications of abestosis =
Malignant mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers more likely to cause MM
Brown
Blue
Siderosis can be caused by
Working with iron
Symptoms of siderosis =
Usually asymptomatic, CXR looks worse
What might occur during an industrial accident?
Acute inhalational injury
Acute inhalational injury can cause
Acute pneumonitis
Acute pneumonitis =
Inflammation
Fibrosis
Acute respiratory distress
Pulmonary oedema
Ex causes of acute pneumonitis
Chlorine
Ammonia
Organic chemicals
Metallic compounds
What is the new name for extrinsic allergic alveolitis?
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
2 examples of hypersensitivity pneumonitis =
Farmers lung
Bird keeps lung
Bird keepers lung is also called
Avion hypersensitivity alveolitis
What does bird keepers lung look like and therefore what should you always do?
IPF
Always ask about pets
What % of lung cancers are occupational in men?
10%
What % of occupational lung cancers does asbestos account for?
60%
Name some major atmospheric pollutants
CO
NO
SO
Hydrocarbons
Respiratory pollutants are mainly derived from
Combustion of fossil fuels
Examples of indoor pollutants =
Mould and bacteria Cleaning products Cigarette Radon through foundation Pains and solvents Combusion from fireplace
