Causes of Lung Disease

What Causes Lung Disease In The Workplace?

Some types of jobs carry a higher risk of developing lung diseases than others. Working in any environment where potentially dangerous dusts, fumes or chemicals are present significantly increases the risk of disease or illness developing.

In some cases, disease or injury are brought on by one, single high dose of a dangerous substance that might occur in a situation such as an industrial accident, spillage or explosion. In the majority of cases however the damage is built up over the course of many months, years, or even an entire career working amongst dusts, fumes or chemicals; the damage from which is often not noticed for many years.

Essentially it is exposure to potentially dangerous substances that lead to the development of diseases. Exposure can be caused by:

• Working in a dusty environment
• Working around vehicle exhaust fumes
• Working with chemical fumes created during production or manufacturing processes
• Painting or applying specific substances such as pipe-lagging, spray-painting etc
• Working with animals
• Working with agricultural or horticultural products

Particular activities that can increase the risk of exposure to these potentially dangerous dusts, microbes and fumes include:

• Transportation and moving of substances
• Milling, grinding or sanding of particular substances
• Cutting or polishing
• Breaking up or disposing of certain substances
• Cleaning and maintaining areas where substances have been stored
• Burning substances
• Mining
• Accidents where substances are released into the atmosphere

Different types of substances can carry different types of risks including:

• Carcinogen – a chemical that causes or potentially causes cancer; for example: asbestos
• Corrosive – a chemical that causes visible destruction of, or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact; for example: hydrochloric acid
• Irritant – a chemical that is not corrosive but causes inflammatory effects on living tissue at the site of contact; for example: strong solvents
• Sensitiser – a chemical that will cause an allergic reaction in a substantial number of exposed people; for example: isocyanates
• Teratogen – a chemical that causes birth defects; for example: thalidomide
• Mutagen – a chemical that can damage chromosomes; for example: benzene

Employers have a duty to ensure that the health and wellbeing of their workforce is protected, and this includes proving protection both physically; in the form of PPE (personal protective equipment), but also through systems including proper monitoring, training and supervision of employees, in addition to implementing thorough health and safety procedures.

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