(1) Destroys the normal defense functions of the human body. Long-term inhalation of large amounts of industrial dust can damage the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory mucosa, trachea, and bronchi, impairing the defense functions of the respiratory tract. The accumulation of dust sources in the lungs will also increase, so workers exposed to dust may still develop pneumoconiosis after leaving dust-related work, and the condition may worsen over time.

What impact does dust have on human health?

(1) Destroys the body's normal defense functions.

Long-term inhalation of large amounts of industrial dust can damage the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory mucosa, trachea, and bronchi, impairing the defense functions of the respiratory tract. The accumulation of dust sources in the lungs will also increase, so workers exposed to dust may develop pneumoconiosis after leaving dust work, and the condition may worsen over time.

(2) Can cause lung diseases. Long-term inhalation of large amounts of dust can lead to diffuse and progressive fibrous tissue hyperplasia in lung tissue, causing pneumoconiosis, which severely impairs respiratory function and reduces or eliminates labor capacity. Silicosis is the most severe, rapidly progressing, and harmful type of pneumoconiosis.

(3) Carcinogenic. Some dusts are carcinogenic, such as asbestos, which is recognized worldwide as a human carcinogen. Asbestos dust can cause mesothelioma and significantly increase the incidence of lung cancer.

(4) Toxic effects. Toxic dusts such as lead, arsenic, and manganese can be dissolved and absorbed in the bronchial and alveolar walls, causing poisoning from lead, arsenic, and manganese.

(5) Local effects. Dust can block sebaceous glands, leading to dry skin and causing acne, folliculitis, and pustular diseases; irritation and damage to the cornea from dust can lead to loss of corneal sensation and changes such as corneal opacity; dust irritating the respiratory mucosa can cause nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis.

Pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis is a systemic disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis of lung tissue caused by long-term inhalation of industrial dust during production activities. Pulmonary fibrosis refers to the excessive growth of fibrous tissue in the lung interstitium, which damages normal lung tissue, reduces lung elasticity, and affects normal respiratory function.

The industrial dust that causes pneumoconiosis mainly falls into two categories: one is inorganic mineral dust, including quartz dust, coal dust, asbestos, cement, welding fume, talc, mica, and foundry dust; the other is organic dust.

Clinical manifestations of pneumoconiosis

(1) Cough. Patients with pneumoconiosis are prone to chronic bronchitis, and late-stage patients often have lung infections, which can significantly worsen coughing. Coughing is related to seasons and climate.

(2) Sputum. Generally, the amount of sputum is not much, mostly gray and thin. If there is a lung infection and chronic bronchitis, the sputum amount will significantly increase, appearing yellow, viscous, or in chunks. It is often difficult to cough out.

(3) Chest pain. Patients with pneumoconiosis often feel chest pain, which may not be related to the clinical manifestations of pneumoconiosis. The location varies and often changes, mostly localized. It is generally a dull pain, but can also be a feeling of fullness or sharp pain.

(4) Shortness of breath. As the degree of lung tissue fibrosis worsens, the effective respiratory area decreases, and the ventilation-blood flow ratio becomes unbalanced, leading to progressively worsening shortness of breath. The occurrence of complications can significantly worsen the degree and speed of development of shortness of breath.

(5) Hemoptysis. This is relatively rare and may be due to long-term chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract causing damage to mucosal blood vessels, resulting in a small amount of blood in the sputum; it may also be due to the rupture of large fibrotic lesions damaging blood vessels, leading to increased blood volume.

(6) Others. In addition to the above respiratory symptoms, there may be varying degrees of systemic symptoms, commonly including reduced digestive function.

Coal dust pneumoconiosis symptoms

Coal dust pneumoconiosis has no symptoms in the early stages and progresses slowly. Patients with emphysema may experience shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production after activity. Those with bronchiectasis may cough up large amounts of thick sputum. Late-stage patients are prone to respiratory infections and may develop secondary pulmonary heart disease and heart failure, showing symptoms of hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention.

Graphite pneumoconiosis and its symptoms

Graphite pneumoconiosis is caused by long-term inhalation of high concentrations of graphite dust. The changes in the lungs of patients with graphite pneumoconiosis resemble those of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, with black spots of varying sizes appearing in the lungs. Patients with graphite pneumoconiosis often have mild symptoms, such as dryness in the nasopharynx, cough, and black sputum, along with chest tightness and shortness of breath after labor. Due to the susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, patients may experience recurrent respiratory infections, exacerbating lung function damage.

Welding fume pneumoconiosis symptoms

Welding fume pneumoconiosis is a type of pneumoconiosis caused by long-term inhalation of welding fume. The chemical composition of welding fume is primarily iron oxide, along with manganese dioxide, amorphous silica, silicon fluoride, and sodium fluoride, making it a mixed type of dust. Welding work is widespread, but the highest number of welders is found in shipbuilding, vehicle manufacturing, machinery, boiler manufacturing, and chemical equipment installation. When welding in poorly ventilated or confined spaces such as ship hulls, boilers, or oil tanks, exposure to high concentrations of welding dust is likely, leading to pneumoconiosis. The typical onset age is generally over 10 years.

From these observations, for everyone's health, please learn about industrial vacuum cleaners to create a dust-free working environment.