Recent advances in the pathogenesis and clinical assessment of mineral dust pneumoconioses: asbestosis, silicosis and coal pneumoconiosis

Abstract

Recent investigations of the fundamental mechanisms of the mineral dust diseases have substantially increased our understanding of the pathogenesis of the pneumoconioses. In all the mineral dust pneumoconioses, the initial early lung lesion is a fibrosing macrophagic alveolitis. The additional contribution of other lung cell populations is currently under investigation and may identify specific processes for each of the pneumoconioses. Clinical investigations have also progressed with new tools such as Gallium-67 lung scanning, bronchoalveolar lavage analyses, and CT scanning of the thorax; their established values are reviewed in this paper, and areas where progress is needed are considered. The clinical progress in the mineral dust diseases is clearly linked to the basic understanding of the mechanisms of these diseases.

30-Year Trends in the Disease Burden, Incidence, and Prevention of Pneumoconiosis

“…The previous analysis regarding the incidence of pneumoconiosis across various SDI illustrates a negative correlation between the SDI and pneumoconiosis incidence. More formidable challenges in preventing and controlling pneumoconiosis exist in regions of middle to middlehigh economic development, due to rapid economic growth and a substantial number of workers being exposed to dust (3). The global community is encouraged to provide support to these developing regions in creating enhanced occupational health surveillance systems and integrating advanced technology for occupational environmental monitoring, dust mitigation, and personal protection.…”

“…Pneumoconiosis, marked by pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, is predominantly induced by inhalation of industrial dust. This exposure typically results in diminished lung function and gradual loss of work capability (1)(2)(3)(4). Given the global prevalence of industrial dust exposure, affecting millions of workers, pneumoconiosis consistently garners significant public health attention (5)(6).…”