Asbestosis

Asbestosis

• Asbestos consists of certain types of fibrous material made up of silicates
• Silica may be combined with:
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Aluminum
• Asbestos is of two types:

1. Serpentine or Chrysolite –

• Hydrated magnesium
  • 90% of world’s asbestos production

2. Amphibole

• Contains little magnesium
  • Fibers are straight and longer than chrysotile fibers
• Asbestos is used in the manufacture of:
  • Asbestos cement
  • Fire proof textiles
  • Roof tiling
  • Brake lining
  • Gaskets etc.
• Asbestos enters the body by inhalation and fine dust may be deposited in the alveoli
• The fibers are insoluble
• The dust deposited in the lungs causes pulmonary fibrosis leading to:
  • Respiratory insufficiency and death
  • Carcinoma of bronchus
  • Mesothelioma of the pleura or peritoneum (otherwise a rare form of cancer) and
  • Cancer of the gastro intestinal tract
• The risk of bronchial cancer is reported to be high if occupational exposure is combined with cigarette smoking
• The fibrosis is
  • Due to mechanical irritation
  • Is peri-bronchial,
  • Diffuse in character and
• Basal in location - This is in contrast to silicosis

References

• Chapter 1 - Dust: Definitions and Concepts; Hazard Prevention and Control in the Work Environment: Airborne Dust WHO/SDE/OEH/99.14 available at: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/en/oehairbornedust3.pdf, accessed on 16th Feb 2017
• Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine

Types of Pneumoconiosis: Pneumoconioses

Silicosis: Silicosis

Anthracosis: Anthracosis

Byssinosis: Byssinosis

Bagassosis: Bagassosis

Asbestosis: Asbestosis

Farmer’s Lung: Farmer’s Lung

Lecture on Pneumoconiosis: Occupational Health