What Are The Types Of Pneumoconiosis?

Siderosis

Siderosis is a variation of pneumoconiosis that occurs due to the prolonged inhalation of iron fumes or iron dust particles. Individuals who work in occupations involving iron rolling, metal sheet working, soldering, welding, steel rolling, mining, metal polishing, and steelmaking are commonly affected by this condition. Most individuals affected by siderosis do not develop symptoms for several years after the exposure to iron particles. Some patients develop severe scarring of the lung tissues. A concerning complication that occurs as a result of siderosis is lung cancer, particularly in individuals who work in welding. Because there is no cure for siderosis, any lung damage it has caused is permanent. While most cases of siderosis occur in individuals who are simultaneously exposed to other types of dust like silica, exposure to iron particles alone has caused siderosis to develop in some individuals. Treatment of siderosis is mild supportive care, unlike other types of pneumoconiosis because severe cases of siderosis are uncommon.