this might go into detail on RADS, asthma, anyone have full test?

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XVIII Occupational and Environmental Lung Disease

DAVID A. SCHWARTZ, M.D.

Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Abstract

The lungs represent the major interface between humans and their environment.

Consequently, the lungs are a common site of environmentally induced disease.

Thousands of environmental toxins and commercial chemicals are now in use, the

particles of which may become aerosolized or airborne in the form of fibers,

fumes, mists, or dust. Inhabitants of major metropolitan areas may inhale more

than 2 mg of dust each day, and workers in dusty occupations may inhale up to

100 times that amount. Despite this exposure, pulmonary function in most persons

is rarely affected because the lungs are equipped with a complex system to

reduce the effect of potentially harmful inhaled toxins and to preserve the

sensitive gas exchange mechanism of the alveolar surface. Nevertheless, the

prevalence of lung disease has increased dramatically over the past several

decades, in part because of exposure to respiratory toxins. This chapter

provides an organized approach to identifying inhalation exposure as the cause

of pulmonary disease and discusses the management of several specific forms of

occupational pulmonary disease. Diseases discussed include occupational asthma,

industrial bronchitis, byssinosis, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS),

asbestosis, silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, pneumoconiosis from

silicates and other substances, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchiolitis,

berylliosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, and mesothelioma. A figure illustrates the

pathogenesis of fiber-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Tables list potential causes

of specific types of lung disease, occupational pulmonary disorders, gaseous

respiratory irritants, and pulmonary manifestations of toxin inhalation. This

chapter contains 50 references.

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