SM 171a - Occupational Disorders Flashcards
Pathologic findings of alveolar proteinosis are associated with which disease/exposure?
Acute silicosis
Often associated with sandblaster use (within the last 2 weeks)
Which of the following is unlikely to be a noxious workplace exposure?
- Heat/Cold
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Chlorine gas
- Dust
- Animal dander
b. Streptococcus pneumoniae
The new Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for silica is ____ mg
The new Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for silica is 0.05 mg
Industries have pushed back against this, even though compliance with the previous OSHA rule resulted in a 0.4-11% lifetime risk of silicosis
List the 4 categories of silicosis
- Chronic simple silicosis
- Progressive massive fibrosis
- Accelerated silicosis
- Acute silicosis/silicoproteinosis (alveolar proteinosis)
Humidifier lung is associated with what exposure?
Amoebae
Which of the following would not be considered an occupational lung disease:
- New onset asthma in a isocyanate exposed worker
- Exacerbations of Asthma caused by cold air in a refrigeration worker at a meat packing plant.
- New onset COPD in a heavily grain dust exposed agricultural worker with a 40 pack year history of tobacco smoke exposure.
- Bronchiolitis caused by diacetyl exposure in a consumer of flavored microwave popcorn.
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a zoo keeper working with avian species.
d. Bronchiolitis caused by diacetyl exposure in a consumer of flavored microwave popcorn.
Which of the following is not a required part of the work up needed to make the diagnosis of a disabling occupational lung disease?
- Medical History
- Occupational and Exposure History
- Lung function testing
- Pulmonary pathology specimens
- Chest imaging
d. Pulmonary pathology specimens
Describe the presentation and progression of chronic simple silicosis
- 20-30 year latency period
- Recognized by abnormal radiograph: upper and lower lobe nodules
- Few symptoms and normal PFTs in early disease
- May progress slowly
Malt worker’s lung, suberosis, and cheese worker’s lung are associated with which exposure?
Fungi
Farmer’s lung, mushroom worker’s lung, and bagassosis are associated with what exposure?
Bacteria
Association between silica and lung cancer is most often seen in which occupations?
- Miners
- Foundry workers
- Quarry workers
- Diatomaceous earth workers
What is a sentinal occupational health event?
The index case of a disease, diability, or untimiely death in a workplace
Sifnifies failure of hygiene and/or safety measures that are meant to protect workers
Indicates a sick worker and a sick workplace!
What diseases are caused by inhalation of coal mine dust?
- Fibrotic diseases
- Silicosis
- Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP)
- Airflow diseases (COPD)
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Mineral dust airways disease
- bronchiolitis due to scarring around airways
- bronchiolitis due to scarring around airways
- Infectious diseases
- Tuberculosis
How are radiographs of dust exposed workers classified?
- Small opacities
- 0/0 is a normal lung
- 3/3 is the worst
- Large opacities - categorize progressive massive fibrosis
- A: 1-5 cm
- B: 5cm - size of right upper lobe
- C: Everywhere
What are the 4 major categories of occupational lung diseases?
- Immunologic asthma
- Irritant asthma
- Emphysema/cold
- Bronchiolitis
(Word on the street is that this is from the PBJ deck; if you see anything different in our lectures, suggest an edit!)
What disease is pictured?
How do you know?
Chronic simple silicosis
- Small amounts of very fine carbonaceous (black) pigment
- Think “little flecks”
What disease is pictured?
How do you know?
Acute silicosis aka silicoproteinosis
- You can see pathologic findings of alveolar proteinosis
- Abnormal buildup of surfactant protein in the lungs
