A 2019 Update on Occupational Lung Diseases: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Occupational lung diseases (OLDs) are caused, aggravated or exacerbated by exposures at the workplace. OLDs encompass a wide range of respiratory diseases similar to that found outside the work environment. Occupational asthma is the most commonly diagnosed OLD. Other OLDs may include acute and chronic conditions, ranging from hypersensitivity pneumonitis to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to pulmonary fibrosis. Historically, research into OLDs has centered on diseases resulting from exposures relevant to high-income countries and more obvious hazardous occupations, such as silicosis in coal miners. Peer-reviewed publications in 2019 have broadened the focus to include low- and middle-income countries and once-overlooked occupations such as dry cleaning and animal husbandry. Technological advances and greater understanding of disease etiology have allowed researchers and clinicians to implement improved risk analysis, screening and mitigation strategies to not only treat disease once it occurs, but to identify at-risk populations and institute protections to prevent or limit the negative impacts of workplace hazards. As recognition of OLDs as a worldwide threat in a variety of occupations increases, research is allowing for the development of better treatments and preventive measures that advance workers’ rights and ensure their continued good health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41030-020-00143-4.

Coal dust exposure triggers heterogeneity of transcriptional profiles in mouse pneumoconiosis and Vitamin D remedies

“…In short, the experimental KEGG annotation pathway enrichment analyses for macrophages based on lineage-specific genes identified by scRNA-Seq strongly highlighted immune-induced regulatory pathways in the pathogenesis of coal pneumoconiosis in mice. This study’s genes and pathways associated with the immune system, signal transduction, and disease processes were similar to those previously reported for particle-induced pneumoconiosis [ 48 – 50 ]. Thus, studies on immune-related genes and pathways identification here can advance our understanding of the molecular immune mechanisms in coal dust-activated CMP.…”

“…Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued new regulations [ 9 ] for respirable coal dust concentration limit (from 2.0 to 1.5 mg/ m 3 ). However, the prevalence rate continued to increase, with some regions such as the central Appalachian area seeing a sixfold increase [ 10 ]. There is no effective treatment for coal workers' pneumoconiosis.…”

The Impact of Ambient Environmental and Occupational Pollution on Respiratory Diseases

“…Occupational air pollution is another crucial public health issue. Exposure to respirable dust, fumes, vapors, gases, volatile organic compounds, chemicals, and metals is hazardous and may cause occupational lung diseases [ 4 ]. Occupational lung diseases include diverse diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive disease (COPD), pneumoconiosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and malignant diseases (lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma), with work-related asthma (WRA) being the most common [ 5 ].…”

Coal Dust Exposure Triggers Heterogeneity of Transcriptional Profiles in Mouse Pneumoconiosis and Vitamin D Remedies

“…This study's genes and pathways associated with the immune system, signal transduction, and disease processes were similar to those previously reported for particle-induced pneumoconiosis. [38,39,40] Thus, studies on immune-related genes and pathways identi cation here can advance our understanding of the molecular immune mechanisms in coal dust-activated CMP.…”