Iron pneumoconiosis

　　How is iron pneumoconiosis caused? Briefly described as follows:

　　1. Causes of Disease

　　Iron is a relatively stable metal, pure iron is silver white, with metallic luster. In nature, iron often exists in the form of oxides, such as hematite, which is brick red, in Fe₂0₃form; limonite, brown, in [FeO(OH)].nH₂0 form; magnetite, with magnetic properties, in Fe₃0₄Forms exist. In the mining, smelting, shipbuilding, and manufacturing of railway vehicles, the rust removal and welding of steel plates, the edge trimming and polishing of mechanical castings, metal grinding (iron shot, steel ball), and industrial paint iron oxide red (Fe₂0₃The production and processing of ) can produce iron dust or iron-containing mixed dust (containing silicon dioxide, asbestos, etc.).

　　2. Pathogenesis

　　The fibrogenic ability of ferric oxide dust has been controversial among people, with the focus being whether pure ferric oxide dust has a fibrogenic effect on the lungs. In the early 1930s, it was found that the lungs of workers engaged in welding for a long time had speckled shadows on chest X-rays, and autopsies proved that it was pure iron dust deposition without lung fibrosis. Later studies have shown that welding smoke dust (mainly composed of ferric oxide) can cause lung fibrosis and lead to welding worker pneumoconiosis. Experimental evidence shows that lung macrophage damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis, and ferric oxide dust can damage lysosomes, increasing the content of lysosomal enzymes in the culture medium. The author's in vitro study shows that under the action of pure ferric oxide dust at a concentration of 0.2-1.6 mg/ml, the survival rate of alveolar macrophages is significantly reduced, indicating that ferric oxide dust has a damaging effect on the membrane. In animal experiments, the author also proved that injecting 100 mg of ferric oxide dust into the trachea of rats, after 9 months, the edges of the dust foci in the lungs showed collagen fibrosis. The author also found multiple dust foci (dust spots and nodules) in the lungs and mild dust fibrosis in the interstitium in the autopsy materials of 3 shipyard rust removal workers. In summary, iron dust has a mild fibrogenic effect on the lungs, which may be related to the damage of iron dust to the membrane of alveolar macrophages.

　　Iron pneumoconiosis often occurs with iron pneumoconiosis and infection. When complications such as lung infection occur, symptoms and signs increase, and the disease will severely affect people's daily life and health, so timely treatment of the disease is essential.

　　Iron dust pneumoconiosis develops slowly, with a long course. The symptoms in the early stage are few and mild, and with the progression of the disease, symptoms such as cough, expectoration, chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath may appear. When complications with pulmonary infection occur, the symptoms and signs increase.

　　The key to controlling and reducing iron dust pneumoconiosis lies in prevention. Prevention first requires reducing dust in the working environment, strengthening publicity and education, establishing hygiene cleaning systems, and achieving civilized production. Secondly, conducting pre-employment and regular physical examinations, regularly taking chest X-rays, and following up regularly for those who have left dust work. Furthermore, those with upper respiratory diseases, bronchopulmonary diseases, especially those with tuberculosis, and cardiovascular diseases are not allowed to engage in silicon dust work. Finally, strengthening personal protection, paying attention to personal hygiene, carrying out physical exercise, and paying attention to nutrition.

　　The following is a brief description of the necessary examinations for iron dust pneumoconiosis:

　　1. X-ray examination

　　In the early stage, X-ray examination mainly shows irregular small shadows, which are more common in the middle and lower lung fields of both lungs. There are few circular small shadows and they appear very late, and large mass shadows rarely appear.

　　2. Vital capacity, pulmonary function examination

　　This examination shows ventilation function damage, manifested as reduced vital capacity, reduced maximum ventilation volume in the first second of vital capacity, and reduced maximum ventilation volume.

　　Patients with iron dust pneumoconiosis should have a light and reasonable diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and pay attention to adequate nutrition. Avoid smoking and drinking, spicy and刺激性 foods, and foods that are too salty. Eat more food such as mushrooms to clear the lungs.

　　A brief description of the treatment methods for iron dust pneumoconiosis are as follows:

　　1. Treatment

　　The treatment methods for iron dust pneumoconiosis are similar to those for antimony sedimentation, mainly focusing on symptomatic treatment. According to reports, after patients with antimony pneumoconiosis leave the exposure, after a period of slow process, whether treated or not, the pulmonary nodular shadows are reduced or disappeared to varying degrees, and there are also reports that using sodium dimercaptopropionate for antimony (iron)驱除 treatment can alleviate pulmonary lesions.

　　2. Prognosis

　　For prognosis, see the disease of antimony sedimentation. The processes of antimony smelting, crushing, etc., should be mechanized and sealed, and ventilation and dust removal should be strengthened. For workers exposed to antimony and iron smoke and dust, in addition to strengthening personal protection, regular health surveillance should be carried out.