Storage phosphor computed radiography (SR) and flat-panel detector (FPD) radiography are two types of digital X-ray utilizing different techniques. We compared these two techniques with conventional analogue chest radiograph (AR) among pneumoconiotic patients and healthy controls. Thirty individuals consisting of 20 silica-exposed ex-workers and 10 healthy controls without occupational exposure...

The International Labor Organization (ILO) system for classifying chest radiographic changes related to inhalation of pathogenic dusts is predicated on film-screen radiography (FSR). Digital radiography (DR) has replaced FSR in many centers, but there are few data to indicate whether DR is equivalent to FSR in identifying and quantifying interstitial and pleural abnormalities. Furthermore, DR i...

The International Classification of High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) has been developed for the screening, diagnosis, and epidemiological reporting of respiratory diseases caused by occupational hazards. This study aimed to establish a correlation between readings of HRCT (according to the ICOERD) and those of chest radi...

A series of 100 full size radiographs illustrating the range of asbestos related radiographic changes was collected by the Asbestos International Association to provide a demonstration and teaching supplement to the ILO 1980 International Classification of the Radiographic Appearances of Pneumoconioses. Each film was read by 12 experienced readers from ten countries; the readings have been summ...

Occupational lung diseases (OLDs) are related to the exposure and inhalation of organic, inorganic, and synthetic particles, fumes, gases, or infectious agents. From the long list of OLDs this article focuses the discussion on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in parenchymal immunoinflammatory conditions, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and pneumoconiosis. Several antigens may cause HP, in...

Airborne contaminants occur in the gaseous form (gases and vapours) or as aerosols. In scientific terminology, an aerosol is defined as a system of particles suspended in a gaseous medium, usually air in the context of occupational hygiene, is usually air. Aerosols may exist in the form of airborne dusts, sprays, mists, smokes and fumes. In the occupational setting, all these forms may be impor...