Prolonged inhalation of asbestos dust leads to lung parenchymal fibrosis
Asbestosis
Usually presents 15-20 years after initial exposure
Diagnosed by clear history of occupational exposure (builders, plumbers, shipyard workers) and typical CXR appearance (pleural thickening & diaphragmatic calcification)
Confirmed by HRCT
May lead to pleural effusion, pleural thickening, mesothelioma, lung adenocarcinoma
Silicosis
Caused by inhalation of silica dust (mining, glass & pottery making, sandblasting)
Silicosis
Similar to asbestosis, but may have an acute form caused by massive exposure that causes lung failure in months
Coal worker's pneumoconiosis
Starts as simple coal worker's pneumoconiosis with small pulmonary nodules
Small coal particles reach acinus, initiate inflammatory reaction and subsequent fibrosis
Continued exposure leads to progressive massive fibrosis with large fibrotic masses (1-10cm)
Coal worker's pneumoconiosis
May progress even after exposure to coal has ceased
Symptoms are breathlessness and cough productive of black sputum
