ABSTRACT
Work-related asthma is responsible for about 15–20% of adult asthma and is associated with high morbidity, disability, and costs. Work-related asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by the presence of reversible airway narrowing following exposure to airborne dust, gases, or fumes in the work environment. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an immunologically mediated lung disease caused by exposure to a variety of inducing agents. Silica, coal, asbestos, and beryllium are important causes of occupational lung disease among workers in the mining, automotive, and construction industries. Primary prevention of work-related asthma involves employee education, avoidance of exposure to sensitizing agents; and where this is not possible, substitution of known sensitizing agents with non-sensitizers. Chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease is an inflammatory lung disease characterized by irreversible airway obstruction. COPD is a heterogeneous disease with different phenotypes that include chronic bronchitis and emphysema most prominently.
