Occupational ILD Pneumoconiosis

• May account for up to 20% of all ILDs
• Caused by exposure to agents encountered in the workplace — commonly mineral or metal dusts
• Primary and most common pneumoconiosis:
  • Asbestosis (asbestos fibers)
  • Silicosis (silica dust)
  • Coal workers’ Pneumoconiosis or black lung disease (coal mine dust)¹
  • Chronic beryllium disease
• Other forms are caused by inhaling dust such as talc, mica, iron, graphite, aluminum, or barium

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MORTALITY

• All pneumoconiosis: 260,000 deaths²
• Understanding the epidemiology of occupational ILDs can be difficult due to:³
  • Variability in physician awareness
  • Non-standardized diagnostics
  • The potentially long delays between exposure, diagnosis, and disease

Pneumoconiosis-related deaths: US 2001-2010⁴

• Asbestosis: 59%
• Coal workers: 27%
• Other: 9%
• Silicosis: 6%
• Byssinosis: 0.2%

DISEASE PROGRESSION

• The primary pneumoconiosis typically are chronic and take many years to develop⁵
  • Though less common, intense exposure can cause rapidly progressing disease — particularly for silicosis⁵
  • The cumulative dose is the greatest factor determining ILD progression³
• Individual physiology can impact disease progression and susceptibility³
  • Factors that impact deposition and clearance of causative agents during exposure, such as mucosal filtering, length of respiratory tract, tobacco use, and genetic characteristics, play a role³

RISK FACTORS

Exposure History:⁶

• Dust particles
• Fumes
• Vapors
• Gas
• Farming/agriculture
• Ceramics/stone/abrasives
• Mining/construction
• Cigarette smoking^6,7 and male sex⁷

COMMON DISEASE MANIFESTATIONS³