Cytosilicosis Complete Answer: One of such occupational hazards to which workers in cement factories are prone is cytosilicosis, as silica is one of the major components of the cement. It is a type of lung disease. – As the name suggests it is caused by inhalation of fine crystalline silica dust.

What is Cytosilicosis disease?

Cytosilicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust and is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs.

Which industry Labour are most prone to Cytosilicosis disease?

The correct answer is Cement. Cytosilicosis disease: Cytosilicosis is caused by Silica. It is an occupational hazard, very commonly diagnosed in cement factory workers.

Can cement dust damage lungs?

What are the risks? – In the short term, exposure to high levels of cement dust irritates the nose and throat. Longer term exposure could lead to occupational asthma. Mortar can also contain respirable crystalline silica (RCS). RCS is also found in concrete and can lead to the development of silicosis or scarring of the lungs, which results in a loss of lung function and severe shortness of breath.

Can concrete dust cause pneumonia?

Discussion – Respiratory diseases associated with inhalation of airborne dust are the most vital group of occupational diseases, Previous study subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease advocate that workplace exposures are powerfully linked with an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,

Chronic respiratory diseases account for a public health challenge in both industrialised as well as developing countries because of their health and economic impacts, Cement is one of the most important building materials in the world, Moreover, cement dust constitutes numerous materials including calcium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminium trioxide, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, sand and other impurities,

The cement dust or constituents of cement causes pathogenesis of various lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer, pneumonia and tuberculosis. The study based on workers reported that condition of the oral mucosa in cement plant workers, where clinical examination established features of mechanical trauma and oral mucosal inflammation in all workers exposed to cement dust,

In a previous finding based on Iran of 200 workers, increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function indices were noticed post-shift, In the current study, we also noticed that various types of health complication as 5 (10%) a productive cough, 7 (14%) having the complication of asthma including having shortness of breath or feeling tight in the chest, 7 (14%) were having lungs infection.

Moreover, 1 (2%) subjects showed skin allergy, and 11 (22%) were other complication including hypertension, diabetes and back pain. Another study finding concluded that acute respiratory health effects among the workers are most likely due to exposure to high concentrations of irritant cement dust,

A study based on Malaysian population reported the association of total dust exposure and respiratory symptoms such as a cough, phlegm, chest tightness and also with lung function indices, The study was performed in a cement factory based in the United Arab Emirates to assess cement dust exposure and its relationship to respiratory symptoms among workers.

Result confirmed that prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among the exposed workers, but the difference from that of unexposed workers was statistically significant only for a cough and phlegm, In the current study, it was observed that 35 subjects (70%) showed severe inflammation and most of the cases were also having a long history of smoking and tobacco chewing.

• We did not notice other types of alterations like metaplasia and dysplasia.
• Another study was made to investigate the risk of the respiratory epithelium in regards to occupational exposure to cement dust.
• The result of the study reported that atypia (dysplasia), squamous metaplasia, acute inflammatory infiltrated cells and chronic inflammatory infiltrated cells were detected,

Our finding concluded that cement particle exposure or inhalation causes respiratory complications and its accumulation in the lung causes epithelial damage and causes inflammation.

What’s another word for silicosis?

Silicosis
Other names	Miner’s phthisis, Grinder’s asthma, Potter’s rot pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Fine silica dust
Specialty	Pulmonology

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. It is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs, It is a type of pneumoconiosis, Silicosis (particularly the acute form) is characterized by shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin).

It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis, Using workplace controls, silicosis is almost always a preventable disease. Silicosis resulted in at least 43,000 deaths globally in 2013, down from at least 50,000 deaths in 1990. The name silicosis (from the Latin silex, or flint) was originally used in 1870 by Achille Visconti (1836–1911), prosector in the Ospedale Maggiore of Milan.

The recognition of respiratory problems from breathing in dust dates to ancient Greeks and Romans. Agricola, in the mid-16th century, wrote about lung problems from dust inhalation in miners. In 1713, Bernardino Ramazzini noted asthmatic symptoms and sand-like substances in the lungs of stone cutters.

What are the three types of silicosis?

Types of silicosis chronic silicosis — exposure to silica dust for more than 10 years. accelerated silicosis — exposure to silica dust for 3 to 10 years. acute silicosis — develops within weeks or months of exposure to silica dust.

When did silicosis start?

When was silicosis discovered? Descriptions of silicosis symptoms can be found in the literature since the time of ancient Egypt. Japanese miners from the early modern era had a word, yoroke, to designate it. But the word silicosis was only coined in 1871 by the Italian physician Achile Visconti.

What is the rarest form of silicosis?

Topic Resources Silicosis is permanent scarring of the lungs caused by inhaling silica (quartz) dust.

People develop difficulty breathing during exercise that sometimes progresses to shortness of breath even at rest, and some people also have a cough that may or may not produce sputum. Diagnosis is made with a chest x-ray or computed tomography. Doctors can sometimes give drugs to help keep airways clear.

Silicosis may be Acute silicosis may develop after intense exposures over several years or months. Chronic silicosis is the most common form and generally develops only after exposure over decades. Accelerated silicosis, which is rare, may develop after more intense exposures over several years or months (like acute silicosis).

1. Silica is also a cause of lung cancer.
2. Simple chronic silicosis is the first stage of chronic silicosis.
3. In this stage, the scarred areas are tiny round lumps.
4. Eventually, complicated chronic silicosis occurs when the scarred areas combine into larger masses.
5. Sometimes these larger masses come together into even larger masses (progressive massive fibrosis).

These scarred areas cannot transfer oxygen into the blood normally. The lungs become less flexible, and breathing takes more effort. In acute silicosis, shortness of breath worsens rapidly. People also lose weight and have fatigue. Respiratory failure often develops within 2 years.

People with accelerated silicosis experience the same symptoms as people with chronic silicosis, but symptoms develop and worsen over a shorter period. Diagnosis is made when someone who has worked with silica has chest computed tomography (CT) that shows distinctive patterns consistent with the disease.

A chest x-ray can also be done to help diagnose silicosis. When imaging findings are unclear, samples of lung tissue can help confirm the diagnosis. Additional tests are done to distinguish silicosis from other disorders. Controlling silica dust in the workplace is key to preventing silicosis.

When dust cannot be controlled, as may be true in the sandblasting industry, workers should wear protective gear, such as hoods that supply clean external air or special masks that efficiently filter out tiny particles. Such protection may not be available to all people working in a dusty area (for example, painters and welders), so whenever possible abrasives other than sand should be used.

Workers exposed to silica dust should have regular chest x-rays so that problems can be detected early. Workers who smoke should be encouraged to stop. Other preventive measures include pneumococcal vaccine and an annual influenza vaccination to help protect against infections to which workers may be more vulnerable.

Whole lung lavage For acute or accelerated silicosis, corticosteroids Treatments for symptoms and complications, such as drugs that open the airways and sometimes lung transplantation

Silicosis cannot be cured, but its progression can be slowed if exposure to silica is avoided, especially at an early stage of the disease. A whole lung lavage (washing) can be used to treat both acute and chronic silicosis. During this procedure, doctors fill the lung with a salt (saline) solution and then drain it to clear material from the air spaces., NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

Is silicosis caused by air pollution?

Silicosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and many other types of rock. Silicosis mainly affects workers exposed to silica dust in jobs such as construction and mining.

What are the hazards of working with cement?

What you should know – Skin problems are not just a nuisance, they can be very painful and sometimes debilitating. Cement and cement-based products can harm the skin in a number of ways. Wet cement is highly alkaline in nature. A serious burn or ulcer can rapidly develop if it is trapped against the skin.

In extreme cases, these burns may need a skin graft or cause a limb to be amputated. Cement can also cause chemical burns to the eyes. Cement also causes dermatitis, It can abrade the skin and cause irritant contact dermatitis. Cement also contains hexavalent chromium (chromate). This can cause allergic contact dermatitis due to sensitisation.

Manufacturers add an ingredient to lower the hexavalent chromium content and reduce this risk. This ingredient is only effective for a limited period as indicated by the shelf date. After this period, the level of hexavalent chromium may increase again.

Worker’s story Dermatitis pictures Skin at work

Can you live a long life with silicosis?

Abstract – To provide a scientific basis for determining the health surveillance period of dust-exposed workers, data of a retrospective cohort study was re-analyzed with emphasis on natural course of silicosis.33640 workers exposed to silica dust who were employed for at least 1 year from 1972 to 1974 in twenty Chinese mines or pottery factories were included as subjects, and were followed up till December 31, 1994.

• The cohort included subjects from 8 tungsten mines, 4 tin mines and 8 pottery factories.
• Our results showed that the mean latency of silicosis, for all the cases of the cohorts, was 22.9 +/- 9.8 y.52.2 % of silicosis was diagnosed approximately 9.1 +/- 5.7 y after the dust exposure had ceased.
• The progression rates of silicosis from stage I to II and from stage II to III were 48.2 % and 18.5 %, and the duration was 4.1 +/- 0.2 and 6.8 +/- 0.2 y, respectively.

The survival times of silicosis stage I, II and III, from the year of diagnosis to death, were 21.5, 15.8 and 6.8 years, respectively. There was 25 % of the silicosis patients whose survival time was beyond 33 y. The mean death age of all silicosis cases was 56.0 y.

1. The death age increased to 65.6 y in the middle of 1990s.
2. Among dust-exposed workers, subjects who became suspected case (0+ ) accounted for 15.0 %.48.7 % of the suspected silicosis cases developed to silicosis, and the average year from the time of being suspected of the disease to the first stage of silicosis was 5.1 y.

The natural characteristics, as mentioned above, varied with different mines and factories. We are led to conclude that silicosis is chronic in nature, but progress quickly. As a serious occupational disease it significantly reduces the life span of exposed workers.

Can the lungs remove silica dust?

Repeated exposure to high levels of these fine crystalline silica particles can cause a variety of diseases that mostly affect the respiratory system. Our lungs have ways to remove some of the dust we breathe in, such as coughing or bringing up phlegm.

Can you get cement in your lungs?

Inhaling Concrete or Stone Dust – Some of the most hazardous dust on job sites can be released by cutting, grinding or blasting concrete and engineered stone. You may also accidentally inhale such dust by breathing in the material when opening a bag. The dangers of inhaling concrete dust and stone dust should never be played down.

Dust from both can carry high volumes of silica, which can travel into your lungs and cause scar tissue or cell necrosis. When enough silica crystals are inhaled over time, lungs can be damaged beyond repair. Crystalline silica is microscopic and that makes it impossible to spot with the naked eye when working with concrete and stone.

People whose lungs may be affected by inhaling silica long term may be diagnosed with Silicosis, a disease that occurs when silica dust is inhaled to a potentially fatal extent.

Is cement dust harmful to humans?

Abstract – Even in the 21st century, millions of people are working daily in a dusty environment. They are exposed to different types of health hazards such as fume, gases and dust, which are risk factors in developing occupational disease. Cement industry is involved in the development of structure of this advanced and modern world but generates dust during its production.

1. Cement dust causes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung disease, pneumoconiosis and carcinoma of the lungs, stomach and colon.
2. Other studies have shown that cement dust may enter into the systemic circulation and thereby reach the essentially all the organs of body and affects the different tissues including heart, liver, spleen, bone, muscles and hairs and ultimately affecting their micro-structure and physiological performance.

Most of the studies have been previously attempted to evaluate the effects of cement dust exposure on the basis of spirometry or radiology, or both. However, collective effort describing the general effects of cement dust on different organ and systems in humans or animals, or both has not been published.

Can silicosis cause death?

Discussion – A statistically significant decline in silicosis death rates was observed during 2001–2010. However, silicosis deaths still occurred among persons aged 15–44 years. Of 28 decedents aged 15–44 years, the youngest was aged 19 years. This would be consistent with the decedent developing acute silicosis after an extremely high exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

1. Such findings indicate the importance of educating at-risk workers and their employers regarding the dangers of exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the workplace.
2. The disparities by sex and by race reflect differences in the composition of the workforces in the industries and occupations placing workers at risk for exposure to crystalline silica dust.** Approximately 2 million U.S.

workers remain potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica ( 5 ). Occupational exposures to dust containing crystalline silica have long been known to occur in mining, quarrying, sandblasting, pottery making, rock drilling, road construction, stone masonry, and tunneling operations ( 1, 5 ).

1. Despite enforceable limits †† on worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica, substantial overexposures continue to occur in the United States ( 3 ),
2. Moreover, new job tasks that place workers at risk for silicosis continue to emerge.
3. In 2004, occupational disease surveillance programs in Michigan, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio reported nine confirmed cases of silicosis among technicians who performed sandblasting in dental laboratories ( 6 ); in 2013, there were approximately 37,000 dental laboratory technicians in the United States.

§§ In a 2012 report from Israel, a 2014 report from Spain, and a 2015 report from the United States, silicosis has been documented among workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust during the fabrication and installation of quartz-containing engineered stone products used primarily for kitchen and bathroom countertops ( 4, 7,8 ).

1. A 2013 report documented high levels of exposure to respirable crystalline silica during hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells ( 3 ).
2. Moreover, a 2010 study reported an excess risk for silicosis in coal miners that was associated with silica as a component of coal mine dust formed during drilling, crushing, and loading of mine material ( 9 ).

In 2013, there were approximately 204,000 oil and gas extraction industry workers and approximately 80,000 coal mining industry workers in the United States. ¶¶ Finally, although not in the United States, silicosis cases have been reported in other occupational settings, including among denim sandblasters ( 10 ).

In 1999, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists made silicosis a nationally notifiable condition.*** In addition, because current permissible exposure limits for respirable crystalline silica do not adequately protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed amending the current standards.

One of the proposed changes is a lower permissible exposure limit ( 5 ). The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, silicosis deaths were not validated by medical records or follow-up with health care providers, thus findings might be subject to misclassification.

1. Second, no individual work history is reported on death certificates.
2. Therefore, it was not possible to identify those industries and occupations where the decedents’ exposures to crystalline silica occurred.
3. Finally, inhalation of respirable crystalline silica can cause diseases other than silicosis, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( 1,5 ), which are not considered in this analysis.

Effective silicosis prevention strategies for employers recommended by OSHA ††† and CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health §§§ are available. Comprehensive silicosis prevention programs include substituting less hazardous noncrystalline silica alternatives when possible, implementing engineering controls (e.g., blasting cabinets, local exhaust ventilation, not using compressed air for cleaning surfaces, using water sprays to control airborne dust, and using surface wetting to prevent dust from becoming airborne when cutting, drilling, grinding, etc.), administrative and work practice controls, personal respiratory protective equipment, medical monitoring of exposed workers, and worker training.

Because of the serious health and socioeconomic consequences of silicosis, new operations and tasks placing workers at risk for silicosis, and the continuing occurrence of silicosis deaths among young workers, effective primary prevention through elimination of exposure to respirable crystalline silica is critical.

At the same time, because of the sometimes long latency of silicosis, with cases diagnosed years after exposure and often in retirement, ongoing silicosis surveillance is needed to track its prevalence in the United States.

What are the signs of silicosis?

What Are the Symptoms of Silicosis? – Symptoms of silicosis usually appear after many years of exposure. In early stages, symptoms are mild and include cough, sputum and progressive shortness of breath, As the scarring continues to worsen, the first real signs of a problem may be an abnormal chest X-ray and a slowly developing cough,

Once the lung scarring has become more severe, there are a variety of symptoms that may appear. These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.

The longer silicosis goes without treatment, the more likely it is to develop a complication. Because the disease affects the immune system, silicosis patients are vulnerable to developing tuberculosis, lung cancer, COPD and kidney disease.

Who is at risk for silicosis?

Risk factors for silicotuberculosis – Although exposure to crystalline silica and sandblasting are the major risk factors for the development of silicotuberculosis (2.8 to 39 times higher than normal conditions), several other risk factors may participate in this condition. As mentioned previously, older age of entry (>30 years), male sex, infection with HIV, employment and exposure duration, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, migration, the severity of the silicosis, exposure to toxic materials and the intensity of the exposure are potential risk factors,,, Risk factors at the individual level have not been determined for better understanding of disease progress and its control, Lack of timely diagnosis and treatment for TB may also raise the rate of infection; however, previous treatment of TB may be associated with the development of silicotuberculosis in more than half of patients, increasing with age (>40 years),, Those patients with asthma should also be examined in case of infection. Local immunity impairment within lungs might be another predisposing factor. Identification of risk factors benefits not only the academic research community, but also the workers or employees and policy making,

Where is silicosis most common?

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in (inhaling) silica dust. Silica is a common, naturally-occurring crystal. It is found in most rock beds. Silica dust forms during mining, quarrying, tunneling, and working with certain metal ores. Silica is a main part of sand, so glass workers and sand-blasters are also exposed to silica. Three types of silicosis occur:

Chronic silicosis, which results from long-term exposure (more than 20 years) to low amounts of silica dust. The silica dust causes swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes. This disease may cause people to have trouble breathing. This is the most common form of silicosis.Accelerated silicosis, which occurs after exposure to larger amounts of silica over a shorter period of time (5 to 15 years). Swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis.Acute silicosis, which results from short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica. The lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, causing severe shortness of breath and a low blood oxygen level.

People who work in jobs where they are exposed to silica dust are at risk. These jobs include:

Abrasives manufacturingGlass manufacturingMiningQuarryingRoad and building constructionSand blastingStone cutting

Intense exposure to silica can cause disease within a year. But it usually takes at least 10 to 15 years of exposure before symptoms occur. Silicosis has become less common since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created regulations requiring the use of protective equipment, which limits the amount of silica dust workers inhale. Symptoms include:

CoughShortness of breathWeight loss

Your health care provider will take a medical history. You’ll be asked about your jobs (past and present), hobbies, and other activities that may have exposed you to silica. The provider will also do a physical exam. Tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out similar diseases include:

Chest x-ray Chest CT scan Pulmonary function tests Tests for tuberculosis (TB) Blood tests for connective tissue diseases

There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Removing the source of silica exposure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse. Supportive treatment includes cough medicine, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed. Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed.

Treatment also includes limiting exposure to irritants and quitting smoking. People with silicosis are at high risk for developing TB. Silica is believed to interfere with the body’s immune response to the bacteria that cause TB. Skin tests to check for exposure to TB should be done regularly. Those with a positive skin test should be treated with anti-TB drugs.

Any change in the appearance of the chest x-ray may be a sign of TB. People with severe silicosis may need to have a lung transplant. Joining a support group where you can meet other people with silicosis or related diseases can help you understand your disease and adapt to its treatments.

1. Outcome varies, depending on the amount of damage to the lungs.
2. Call your provider if you suspect that you have been exposed to silica at work and you have breathing problems.
3. Having silicosis makes it easier for you to develop lung infections.
4. Talk to your provider about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines.

If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis, call your provider right away if you develop a cough, shortness of breath, fever, or other signs of a lung infection, especially if you think you have the flu. Since your lungs are already damaged, it’s very important to have the infection treated promptly.

This will prevent breathing problems from becoming severe, as well as further damage to your lungs. If you work in a high-risk occupation or have a high-risk hobby, always wear a dust mask and do not smoke. You might also want to use other protection recommended by OSHA, such as a respirator. Acute silicosis; Chronic silicosis; Accelerated silicosis; Progressive massive fibrosis; Conglomerate silicosis; Silicoproteinosis Go LHT, Cohen RA.

Pneumoconioses. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine,7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101. Tarlo SM. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine,26th ed.

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87. Updated by: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M.

Editorial team

How do I protect myself from silica dust?

How to Prevent Exposure – Control dust exposures by using engineering controls and following safe work practices. The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program provides free assistance and information on workplace exposures and employee health. Employees, union officials, or employers concerned about exposures in the workplace can request an evaluation of possible health hazards, including silica, at their workplace. Photo by NIOSH

Follow dust control methods found in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance guides for the construction industry pdf icon and general industry and maritime pdf icon, Use wet methods that apply water at the impact site where dust is generated. Remove silica dust using local exhaust ventilation at the point where dust is made. Use enclosures when available to isolate the work process. Consider using a combination of both water and ventilation controls. Ensure that all engineering controls are working properly prior to use and replace water and air filters as necessary to control dust. Avoid dry sweeping or using compressed air during regular and thorough housekeeping procedures. Use respiratory protection when dust controls and safe work practices cannot limit silica exposures below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s permissible exposure limit (PEL). Participate in a medical monitoring program when an employer has shown crystalline silica levels are above occupational exposure limits. Research methods for industry-related exposure controls,

What happens if you inhale a small amount of concrete dust?

Abstract – Inhalation of inorganic, inert dusts, like concrete dust, has generally not been considered dangerous. Very rarely alterations following chronic exposures can be observed, such as airflow obstruction and increased mucous secretion. Acute reactions in terms of acute respiratory failure have not been described so far.

Case report: The present case report introduces a 54-year old male patient who developed acute respiratory failure after sawing a concrete block for several hours without wearing a face mask. Save for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease he was unremarkable for his past medical history. When the emergency physician arrived, oxyhaemoglobin saturation was only 54%.

Severely obstructed breathing sounds and coarse bubbling rales over both lungs were audible. After endotracheal intubation, a great deal of white viscous mucus could be aspirated via the tubus. The chest radiograph after admission demonstrated cloudy, shadowed areas with emphasis on both lower lung fields.

As pulmonary function did not improve inspite of drug therapy with prednisolone, theophylline, fenoterol, n-acetylcysteine and respiration therapy with 100% oxygen concentration, the patient was treated daily with bronchoscopic aspiration of the mucus. Only on the fourth day, after an additional ten hours in prone position, the lung function improved.

The patient could be extubated on the fifth day. The final chest radiograph indicated no residuum apart from a very small shadowed area on the right angle between heart and diaphragm. Conclusion: The inhalation of dusts, which have long been considered inert, can cause acute pulmonary reactions.

Can lungs recover from dust inhalation?

You may not think it’s a big deal when you breathe in dust, but for some people, it could bring on a lung disease called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It’s an allergic reaction to particles in the dust, and it can cause symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.

1. You can get things back to normal if you get treated early and avoid breathing the stuff you’re allergic to.
2. There are a variety of things that can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis when you breathe them in, including fungus, molds, bacteria, proteins, and chemicals.
3. Normally, the immune system – your body’s defense against germs – causes inflammation in your lungs as it clears away the things you’re allergic to.

After a while, the inflammation stops. But in some people who are “hypersensitive,” the lungs stay inflamed and cause the symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. If you catch it early and stop breathing in more particles, your lungs can heal. If you breathe them in over and over, your lungs will stay inflamed, and scars may develop, which can make it hard to breathe normally.