| Long term and repeated exposure to certain | | | | diseases. |
| substances due to occupational reasons causes | | | | In the normal functioning of the body, the air that |
| certain diseases that affect the lungs. In some cases, | | | | we inhale reaches the lungs where the foreign |
| a single exposure to irritants can cause irreparable | | | | substances are filtered by various means such as cell |
| damage. | | | | linings in the airways as we as macrophages. |
| The effects of these irritants may continue even if | | | | Macrophages play a vital role in the immunity process. |
| the exposure is limited or becomes nil over time. | | | | They expel the unwanted substances that are |
| Sometimes, the location and also the work | | | | inhaled by the individual. |
| environment give rise to occupational diseases. | | | | Macrophages cannot handle certain types of fine dust |
| In the past, researchers believed that only coal | | | | particles like silica that enter the lungs. These particles |
| miners may be affected by lung diseases due to the | | | | accumulate over a period of time and impair the |
| nature of the profession. However, studies reveal | | | | normal functioning of the lungs as they get deposited |
| that textile factories, car garages and many other | | | | in the linings. It leads to other health complications like |
| such locations contain harmful irritants like dust, | | | | fibrosis and formation of macules. |
| chemicals, fibers and other air pollutants that affect | | | | Occupational asthma is one of the most common |
| the lungs in a huge way. Smoking only increases the | | | | diseases found among individuals who inhale huge |
| chances of severity and fatality of occupational | | | | amounts of dust on a regular basis. |