Pneumoconiosis

The term ‘pneumoconiosis’ is used to describe a set of lung diseases caused by the repeated inhalation of small particles in which long-term retention in the lung is a key causative factor. The site of damage within the lung is a function of both the size and the toxicity of the inhaled dust, fume or fibre. The ability of different types of particles to cause fibrosis varies widely: crystalline silica is highly fibrogenic, whereas iron oxide is much less so. In susceptible individuals, pneumoconiosis usually develops after many years of exposure, sometimes presenting after retirement.