Commentary: research on the mechanisms of the occupational lung diseases
In this commentary, the pathogenesis of alveolitis is examined and elucidated by animal models. The use of broncho alveolar lavage (BAL) and Ga-67 citrate whole-body scanning as a measure of the activity of alveolar inflammation in workers is discussed. Gallium scan indices have been reported to be elevated in asbestosis, silicosis, and coal workers' pneumoconiosis; diseases which may now be evaluated at earlier, potentially reversible stages. Research in emphysema and other lung diseases associated with ..cap alpha../sub 1/ antitrypsin deficiency may help explain why coal miners develop focal emphysema. Furthermore, investigation of genetic factors may reveal why workers with similar exposures have a different susceptibility for the development of pneumoconiosis or lung cancer. Occupational asthma may not respond to removal of the worker from exposure because reactive airways may be a predisposing factor for chronic ashthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. A continuing challenge will be disease risk in new industries such as electronics and alternate energy industries and new diseases in worker groups not previously studied, such as the variety of pneumoconioses among dental laboratory technicians who work with exotic metal alloys. 52 references.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City
- OSTI ID:
- 6144859
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8310367-
- Journal Information:
- Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 39:3; ISSN AEHLA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ASTHMA
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGY
BODY
COAL MINERS
COAL MINING
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EMPHYSEMA
ETIOLOGY
GALLIUM 67
GALLIUM ISOTOPES
GENETICS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRY
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LAVAGE
LUNGS
MINERS
MINING
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
PERSONNEL
PNEUMOCONIOSES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RISK ASSESSMENT