Occupational Lung Diseases
Occupational lung diseases are lung problems that are made worse in certain work environments. They are caused by long-term exposure to certain irritants that are breathed into the lungs. These lung diseases may have lasting effects, even after the exposure ends.

Particles in the air from many sources, such as factories, smokestacks, exhaust, fires, mining, construction, and agriculture , cause these lung problems. The smaller the particles are, the more damage they can do to the lungs. Smaller particles are easily inhaled deep into the lungs. There, they are absorbed into the body instead of being coughed out:

Asbestosis. This condition is caused when a person breathes in tiny asbestos fibers. Over time, this leads to scarring of the lungs and stiff lung tissue. It’s often linked with construction work.

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis or black lung disease. This disease is caused by inhaling coal dust. It causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This can cause permanent lung damage and shortness of breath.
Silicosis. This condition is caused by breathing in airborne crystalline silica. This is a dust found in the air of mines; foundries; blasting operations; and stone, clay, and glass manufacturing facilities. It causes scarring of the lungs. It can also increase the risk for other lung diseases.

Byssinosis. This is caused by breathing in dust from hemp, flax, and cotton processing. It is also known as Brown Lung Disease. The condition is chronic and causes chest tightness and shortness of breath. It affects textile workers, especially those who work with unprocessed cotton.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This is an allergic lung disease caused by a lung inflammation that happens from breathing in many different substances including fungus spores, bacteria, animal or plant protein, or specific chemicals. They can come from moldy hay, bird droppings, and other organic dusts. The disease causes inflamed air sacs in the lungs, and leads to fibrous scar tissue in the lungs and trouble breathing. There are variations of this disease depending on the job. They include cork worker's lung, farmer's lung, and mushroom worker's lung.

Occupational asthma. Occupational asthma is caused by breathing in dusts, gases, fumes, and vapors. It causes asthma symptoms such as a chronic cough and wheezing. This condition can be reversed if found early. If you work in manufacturing and processing operations, farming, animal care, food processing, cotton and textile industries, and refining operations, you are at higher risk for getting this illness.