Causes of Pneumoconiosis
The most common types of pneumoconiosis include -
- Silicosis – from silica crystals such as quartz. It is commonly seen in mining, quarrying, sandblasting and tunneling industries
- Asbestosis – from asbestos dust. It is commonly seen in ship-building and construction industries
- Coal workers pneumoconiosis – from coal dust. It is commonly seen in coal miners.
Other less common forms include –
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- Berylliosis – from beryllium
- Bauxite fibrosis – from bauxite dust
- Talcosis – from talc (hydrated magnesium silicate)
- Siderosis – from iron oxide
- Tanosis – from tin oxide
- Baritosis – from barium sulfate
- Byssinosis – from cotton dust
- Mixed dust pneumoconiosis – from a mixture of dusts
- Hard metal pneumoconiosis – from certain metals like cobalt
In addition, others dust such as aluminum, barium, antimony, graphite, kaolin and mica can also cause pneumoconiosis.
