Occupational Respiratory Diseases

Occupational lung diseases (OLD) are those whose origin comes from exposure to certain substances in the workplace, according to specialists in Pneumology. The most frequent are gases, fumes, vapors or particles of materials such as silica, coal, asbestos, granite, cereals, organic solvents, powdered paints or animal proteins.

Thus, workers in metal sector industries, mining, welders, cement factories, woodworking industries, mechanical workshops, paper industry, iron and steel industry, foundries, ceramic factories or paints are those who have a higher risk of EPO.

The main respiratory pathologies that make up the EPO are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial mineral pathology, inhalation and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer and pleural diseases. Asthma and COPD are the most frequent in developed countries, with an upward trend.

Given the importance of the diagnosis of OME for the disease itself, job changes and economic compensation for incapacity, its confirmation must be based on objective data that establish a causal relationship between the worker’s disease and his work environment. One of the major advances in avoiding OPEs has been the application of preventive measures. To this end, it is crucial to count on the collaboration of both the worker and the company.

Among the basic principles for its control and prevention are: health examinations to identify patients at risk, educational and smoking cessation programs, use of respiratory protection equipment, personnel rotation, adequate ventilation and humidification systems, as well as storage and transportation of toxic substances with effective methods.