Flock worker's lung
Flock worker's lung | |
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Flocked fabric | |
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Flock worker's lung is an occupational lung disease caused by exposure to flock, small fibers that are glued to a backing in order to create a specific texture. People who work in flocking are at risk of inhaling small pieces of the flock fibers, which causes interstitial lung disease.[1] The disease was initially described in 1998, when a group of workers at a flocking plant developed interstitial lung disease of unknown cause.[2]
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of flock worker's lung include
Other symptoms described in flock workers include
Causes
Flock worker's lung is caused by exposure to small pieces of flock, usually nylon, created during the flocking process and inhaled.[1][3] Exposure to rotary-cut flock particulates is the main risk factor; whether or not other types of flock cause this pulmonary fibrosis is not yet determined.[5] Other types of flock include rayon, polypropylene, and polyethylene.[1] Workers exposed to nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and rayon flocking debris have developed flock worker's lung.[4][7] Exposure to higher concentrations of respirable flock particles is associated with more severe disease.[8]
Whether or not smoking affects the progression or incidence of flock worker's lung is a topic of ongoing research as of 2015.[4] Research in rats has shown that nylon flocking is a causative agent.[6]
Diagnosis
A CT scan of the lungs and
Prevention
Flock worker's lung can be prevented with engineering controls that protect workers from inhaling flock.[1] Engineering controls to prevent inhalation of flock can include using guillotine cutters rather than rotary cutters, and ensuring that blades are sharp, since dull blades shear off more respirable particles. NIOSH-certified respirators can be worn to reduce the risk of inhalation when performing certain activities.[10] Flocking plants have also implemented medical surveillance programs for workers to diagnose cases at an earlier stage.[6] Another technique for preventing flock worker's lung is cleaning the workplace with alternatives to compressed air in order to avoid resuspending particulates in the air.[1]
Treatment
Flock worker's lung is generally treated by removing the individual from the environment where they are inhaling flock. Symptoms generally improve within days to weeks after stopping exposure.[1][5] The benefits of glucocorticoid therapy are unclear.[4][5]
Prognosis
Flock worker's lung may raise the risk for lung cancer, but the connection is a topic of research as of 2015.[4][5] The disease can be subacute or develop over long periods of exposure.[6]
Epidemiology
Cases have been reported in the United States, Canada, Turkey, and Spain.[8]
History
Interstitial lung disease in flock workers was first connected to flock fibers in 1991, though the disease now known as "flock worker's lung" was not formally described until 1998, when researchers from
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Respiratory Diseases: Occupational Risks". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- S2CID 36544268.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-139-61897-7.
- ^ PMID 23699830.
- ^ a b c d e f Kern, David J.; Crausman, Robert S. (19 July 2013). "Flock worker's lung". UpToDate.
- ^ PMID 23153608.
- PMID 17370318.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7817-6299-1.
- ^ PMID 10351952.
- ^ "NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report #2004-0013-2990" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Workplace Safety and Health. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ PMID 23732577.