Respiratory Diseases Among Dust Exposed Workers

Airborne contaminants occur in the gaseous form (gases and vapours) or as aerosols. Aerosols may exist in the form of airborne dusts, sprays, mists, smokes and fumes. In the occupational setting, all these forms may be important because they relate to a wide range of occupational diseases. Airborne dusts are of particular concern because they are well known to be associated with classical widespread occupational lung diseases such as the pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, occupational asthma, etc. Occupational exposure to dust particles occurs everywhere but is especially prevalent in lowand middle-income countries. Table 1 shows some examples of the types of dust found in the work environment.