Common occupational lung diseases you need to be aware of

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An occupational lung disease is a condition that has been caused or made worse by the materials you have been exposed to in a workplace.

The conditions are usually caused by repeated or long-term exposure to certain chemicals or irritants and can often cause serious or life-altering conditions.

Occupational diseases can be acquired through a number of different careers, but are commonly obtained working in construction, mining, car garages or factories. Due to the nature of these roles, workers are often exposed to chemicals and fibres and could be at risk if they are not given the correct protection.

Common occupational lung diseases

Most occupational lung diseases are caused by repeated, long-term exposure to dangerous chemicals, but exposure to a single hazardous substance could also cause long-term damage. We have listed three of the most common occupational lung diseases workers should be aware of.

Asbestosis

One of the most common occupational lung diseases is asbestosis. This disease is caused by exposure to asbestos materials which were commonly used in buildings and construction during the 1900’s.

Industries with the highest risk of coming in contact with asbestos include construction, manufacturing, firefighting, shipbuilding and repair, and the chemical industry. Asbestos does not pose a risk unless it is disturbed, releasing dangerous particles into the air.

But, if you contract asbestosis it is a serious illness, and at present, there is no cure for it. If asbestosis is left untreated, it can develop into other serious illnesses including lung cancer, Malignant Mesothelioma and Pulmonary hypertension.

Symptoms of asbestosis

It can take 20 to 30 years after being exposed to asbestos before symptoms appear.

Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Wheezing
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Pain in your chest or shoulder
In more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips

Work-related Asthma

Occupational asthma is caused by breathing in substances at work like chemicals, fumes, animal fur and dust. It can be identified if you develop new asthma symptoms at work, or your childhood asthma comes back.

However, you might be at your new place of work a while before you notice symptoms. This is because it can take a while for your immune system to become sensitive to the triggers. Once you’ve become sensitive to a substance at work, it can trigger your symptoms whenever you come into contact with it.

Common professions where you might develop work-related asthma include cooks or chefs, hairdressers, mechanics and healthcare workers

Work-related asthma can be identified if your symptoms get better on days when you’re not at work or if your asthma has come back since you started working.

Symptoms of work-related asthma

Cough
Wheeze
Tight chest
Shortness of breath
Conjunctivitis (itchy, red, inflamed eyes)
Rhinitis (where the inside of your nose is inflamed with symptoms like a blocked, runny or itchy nose).

Occupational allergens and irritants

Flour dust and additives
Latex used in healthcare settings
Animal fur, skin and saliva, as well as dust from animal enclosures
Grain and poultry dusts – the most common cause of occupational asthma among agricultural workers
Vapours and particles from surgical techniques in hospitals
Chemicals used in car spray paints, or bleach used in hairdressing salons
Wood dust produced when machining or sanding
Fumes, mists and vapours from electronic, engineering or metal work, from adhesives, and from chlorine in indoor pools.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over a long period of time. Workers in industries including construction, mining and pottery or ceramics are most at risk as Silica is a natural substance found in some types of stone, rock, sand and clay.

Working with these materials can create fine dust, and if that dust is inhaled, it can cause serious issues. If the dust gets inside the lungs, it can create swelling and inflammation and gradually lead to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue.

When lung tissue is damaged in this way, it does not function as it should. Silicosis can also lead to the development of other life-threatening conditions.

Occupations at highest risk of Silicosis

Stonemasonry and stone cutting – especially with sandstone
Construction and demolition – as a result of exposure to concrete and paving materials
Worktop manufacturing and fitting
Pottery, ceramics and glass manufacturing
Mining and quarrying
Sandblasting

Symptoms of Silicosis

Symptoms of silicosis can take years to develop, and quite often, you will not notice symptoms until you’ve stopped working with the dust. Symptoms usually develop after being exposed to silica for 10 to 20 years, but it can also occur in less time than this with very heavy exposure.

Symptoms can also continue to get worse, even if you’re no longer exposed to the dust.

The main symptoms of silicosis include a persistent cough, shortness of breath weakness and tiredness. There is currently no cure for silicosis because lung damage can’t be reversed.

However, you can take action to reduce the risk of complications for example stop smoke and have the annual flu vaccine. You may also be offered treatments such as long-term oxygen therapy to help with symptoms.

I’ve developed a lung condition through work – what can I do?

If you have contracted a lung condition through work, you could be entitled to compensation. A number of laws and regulations are in place to ensure that workplaces are safe, and employers are held responsible:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers have a duty so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Duty to undertake a reasonable risk assessment (Reg. 3)
Requirement to undertake a health surveillance (Reg. 6)
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Ensure that suitable personal equipment is provided (Reg. 4)
Ensure an assessment of any personal protective equipment is undertaken to determine whether it is suitable.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002

Required to assess health risks where work is liable to expose employees to substances hazardous to health (Reg. 6)
Ensure exposure to substances hazardous to health is either prevented or where not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled (Reg. 7)
Ensure any employee exposed to substances hazardous to health are monitored and under suitable health surveillance (Reg. 11)

3 common occupational lung diseases you need to be aware of

An occupational lung disease is a condition that has been caused or made worse by the materials you have been exposed to in a workplace.

Asbestosis

Occupational allergens and irritants

Silicosis

I’ve developed a lung condition through work – what can I do?

Further reading

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