REVIEW PAPER
Rare occupational respiratory diseases
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Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Klinika Chorób Zawodowych i Zdrowia Środowiskowego, Oddział Chorób Zawodowych / Clinic of Occupational Diseases and Toxicology,
Department of Occupational Diseases)
Online publication date: 2019-12-10
Corresponding author
Anna Witkowska
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera,
Klinika Chorób Zawodowych i Zdrowia Środowiskowego, Oddział Chorób Zawodowych, ul. św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2020;71(1):89-104
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ABSTRACT
This paper reviews rare occupational respiratory diseases with uncommon causes. Among others, it refers to the Ardystil
syndrome characterized by the occurrence of organizing pneumonia in the textile printing sprayers, as a result of inhalation
of substances used in aerographic textile printing. Furthermore, secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis due to exposure to
chemical and organic dusts was described, and so was the occurrence of the “vineyard sprayer’s lung” in farm workers in Portugal.
Eosinophilic bronchitis, showing a strong resemblance to bronchial asthma, was found to occur, among others, in a baker, a nurse
and workers exposed to acrylates, α-amylase or welding gases. Occupational exposure to diacetyl in popcorn production workers
might also create a threat to their respiratory system. A newly recognized factor that may cause bronchitis and lung diseases is
the fiberglass used by workers building small boats and ships. An increased risk for respiratory ailments is observed in people
employed in the textile industry, exposed to commodities or cotton dust. Even the resources used to protect different surfaces
against moisture have been recognized as the causative agents of lung diseases. The rare occurrence of some occupational respiratory
diseases enables a detailed analysis of the epidemiology and evaluation of the relationship between the etiologic agents and
the development of the disease. This literature review highlights the fact that most respiratory diseases require a special analysis
of occupational and environmental exposure. Med Pr. 2020;71(1):89–104