Occupational lung disease and airborne environment contributors to respiratory disease

Question 1

What are some occupational lung diseases

Answer 1

COPD, malignant diseases: lung cancer (asbestos and non-asbestos related), mesothelioma, occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis (mineral dust e.g. coal workers lung, asbestosis and silicosis

Question 2

What are treatments for pneumoconioses

Answer 2

Prevent further exposure, stop smoking, monitor lung function, symptomatic treatment- cough, dyspnoea, cor pulmonale. no specific treatment or cure for the disease itself

Question 3

What is a marker that a patient has been exposed to asbestos

Answer 3

pleural plaques