An Overview of Respiratory Diseases in Mining

Occupational respiratory diseases results due to prolonged exposure of a worker to hazardous dust and it is very common in mining and other related industries where hazardous dusts are produced. The respiratory diseases caused by dusts are commonly known as pneumoconiosis. It includes asbestosis, silicosis, siderosis, kaolin pneumoconiosis, coal worker’s pneumoconiosis etc. depending on the type of dust the worker is exposed to. This paper is based on research-based literature on occupational respiratory diseases in mining & related industries and presents an overview of how dust invades the lungs, its affects on lungs, different types and symptoms of pneumoconiosis, possible preventive measures and medical treatment for pneumoconiosis