Silica fact sheet
Provides a brief overview of silica, who is at risk, how does it get into the lungs, known as silicosis, what it can do, how…
View moreEveryone has a right to be safe at work and looking after your lungs is no exception. Most of us never stop to think about our breathing, it’s just something we do. In fact, research shows that almost half (46%) of all Australians rarely or never think about their lung health. We’re all used to thinking about our heart, skin and breast health but our lungs are equally important. Breathing is a symbol of life and every part of your body needs oxygen from the air you breathe to survive.
Occupational lung diseases are diseases of the lung that occur due to breathing in dust, gases and fumes in the work environment. They are an important and under-recognised cause of respiratory ill health in Australia (1). These lung diseases are a preventable and treatable cause of much sickness, disability and death. In addition to the traditional “dust diseases”, occupational lung disease encompasses a wide spectrum of disorders. Some of the most common examples include:
Coal dust pneumoconiosis (Black Lung) is caused by long-term exposure to high concentrations of respirable coal dust. The disease commonly takes 10 years or more to develop. The body reacts to dust particles by forming layers of scar tissue over the affected area. Beyond the early stages, a person may start to experience shortness of breath, wheezing and a productive (chesty) cough.iv
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Such as hard metal lung disease, chronic beryllium disease, talcosis.
Such as farmers lung, bagassosis.
[i] European Lung Foundation, On the building or construction site. Available: https://yourlungsatwork.europeanlung.org/en/factsheets/on-site
[ii] Australian Asthma Handbook, Work-related asthma, Available: https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/clinical-issues/work-related-asthma
[iii] Cancer Australia, Silica dust. Available: https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/workplace-cancer/silica-dust.html
[iv] Health assessment information for coal mine workers, 2017, Queensland Government. Available: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/resources/safety-health/mining/medicals/dust-lung-disease