Byssinosis

Byssinosis: dangers of chronic occupational dust, symptoms and treatment

Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease. This is an inflammatory disease that occurs as a result of constant contact with dust containing silica, which occurs during the production of ceramics, fiberglass, paper, glass, metal products, during the extraction of sand, salt, stone, as well as during the production of bricks, tiles and other construction materials. materials. Unlike silicosis, which is associated with the development of granulomatous tuberculosis through prolonged contact with coal or other organic materials, byssinosis is not at risk of tuberculosis.

Causes of byssinosis

Chronic byssinosis occurs after 9 months and lasts more than 5 years or longer. Excessive exposure of the lungs to hazardous industrial dust and dusty substances stimulates the protective reaction of the bronchi. Inflammatory products accumulate and form nodules on the walls of the bronchi, forming bronchioles. As the disease progresses, chronic exudative bronchopneumonia develops, turning into fibro

Byssinosis (from the Greek byssōs - cochineal and -ο-oz) is a lung disease caused by exposure to irritants, mainly from the metallurgical industry. The disease is also called “bronchorrhea” or “bronchitis cough”. It is not a separate disease (the so-called nosological form) or an ICD-10 X diagnosis, but is often called so due to the uncertainty of the etiology of the underlying disease.

The main causative agent is silicic acid, which is contained in hot slag during operation.