Clinical Year-in-Review of Occupational Lung Disease.

Lee, Won Yeon

doi:2011.71.5.317

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 71(5); 2011 > Article

Review Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2011;71(5):317-321.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2011.71.5.317 Published online November 1, 2011.

Clinical Year-in-Review of Occupational Lung Disease.

Won Yeon Lee

Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. wonylee@yonsei.ac.kr

Abstract

Occupational lung disease (OLD) is a group of lung diseases caused and/or aggravated by organic and inorganic inhaled dust, fumes, and mist. OLD can develop under various occupational situations. Therefore, occupational history should be considered when evaluating respiratory symptoms. Once OLD is developed, it may not be treated and may even progress after exposure to the causative agents has stopped. The best ways to treat OLD are prevention and early detection by controlling the working environment and conducting regular surveillance of workers. Common OLDs in Korea are coal worker's pneumoconiosis, asbestos-related diseases, and occupational asthma. Recent aspects of these common OLDs in Korea will be described based on recently published studies.

Key Words: Occupational Diseases, Asbestosis, Pneumoconiosis, Asthma