Pneumoconiosis pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Karol Gema Hernández, M.D. [2]
Overview
Pneumoconiosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by the accumulation of different dust particles in the alveolar space. As the particles accumulate, the body's elimination mechanisms begin to fail, resulting in activation of chemotactic factors that exacerbate the inflammatory response, and subsequently leading to fibrosis.
Pathophysiology
The pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis starts with the inhalation of mineral, metallic or dust particles. The most common particles that cause pneumoconiosis are:
- Silica (quartz, cristobalite, or tridymite silica polymorphs)
Other dust particles may also lead to pneumoconiosis, such as hydrated magnesium silicate, hydrous aluminium silicate, bauxite, cobalt, beryllium and iron.
Shown below is a table summarizing the dust exposure associated with pneumocociosis.
| Disease | Dust |
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| Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis | Coal dust |
| Silicosis | Silica |
| Asbestosis | Asbestos |
| Talcosis | Hydrated aluminium silicate |
| Kaolin- induced pneumoconiosis | Hydrous aluminum silicate |
| Mixed dust pneumoconiosis | Coal dust, smoke from fires, and silicates
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| Aluminum- induced pneumoconiosis | Bauxite (Al2O3) |
| Berylliosis | Beryllium |
| Silicosiderosis | Silica and iron
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| Hard- metal disease (giant cell pneumonitis) | Cobalt
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