Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What symptoms can develop as pneumoconiosis becomes more severe?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
occupational disease
The lung disease asbestosis is caused primarily by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. It occurs mainly among workers whose occupations involve exposure to asbestos and people who live near mines, factories, and construction sites.
As pneumoconiosis progresses in severity, the initial symptoms—such as chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath—worsen significantly.1
In the most severe cases, the condition can lead to:
- Chronic Respiratory Impairment: Patients may develop chronic bronchitis and emphysema.1
- Reduced Lung Function: As inhaled dust causes an inflammatory reaction that replaces normal tissue with fibrous scar tissue, the lungs lose their elasticity, leading to serious impairment of lung function.1
- Progressive Massive Fibrosis: In certain forms, such as black lung, the disease may advance to a stage where large masses of fibrotic tissue form in the lungs, resulting in severe disability.2
- Secondary Complications: Severe cases are associated with a high risk of secondary heart failure. Additionally, conditions like asbestosis have been linked to the development of cancers of the lung and other organs.21
It is important to note that the disease can continue to advance and cause increasing disability even after exposure to the dust has ceased.2