Lung disorders caused by dust particles inhaled and absorbed into the lung tissues. There they may cause fibrosis (formation of scar tissue) and progressive lung damage. The main symptoms are a cough and breathing difficulty. It may take at least 10 years of exposure to dusts containing coal, silica, talc, or asbestos before serious lung damage develops (see pneumoconiosis). Hypersensitivity to moulds on hay or grain may lead to allergic alveolitis. Preventive measures, such as the installation of dust extraction machinery, have reduced the incidence of dust diseases.
Dust diseases |
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