Pneumoconiosis is an occupational lung infection and a restrictive lung infection initiated by the inhalation of dirt, often in mines.

Types

Depending upon the kind of dirt, the infection is granted distinct names:

• Coalworker's pneumoconiosis (also renowned as "black lung" or anthracosis) - coal, carbon
• Asbestosis - asbestos
• Silicosis (also renowned as "grinder's disease" or Potter's rot) - silica
• Bauxite fibrosis - bauxite
• Berylliosis - beryllium
• Siderosis - iron
• Byssinosis - cotton
• Silicosiderosis - blended dirt encompassing silica and iron
• Labrador Lung (found in miners in Labrador, Canada) - blended dirt encompassing metal, silica and anthophyllite, a kind of asbestos

In supplement, it has been speculated that astronauts subject to extended exposure to lunar dirt may be susceptible to a kind of pneumoconiosis. No situations live yet, but future Moon missions are anticipated to take precautions contrary to such exposure.

Diagnosis

Positive suggestions on persevering assessment:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest X-ray may display a attribute patchy, subpleural, bibasilar interstitial infiltrates or little cystic radiolucencies called honeycombing

Pneumoconiosis in blend with multiple pulmonary rheumatoid nodules in rheumatoid arthritis patients is renowned as Caplan's syndrome.