Tin dust pneumoconiosis

　　Tin is a silver-white metal with a slight blue tinge, characterized by a low melting point, high boiling point, high toughness, and strong corrosion resistance. It is mainly used in the industry for manufacturing brass, bronze, and Babbit alloys, etc.; in the food industry, tinplate and tin foil are commonly used as packaging materials. The cause of tin dust pneumoconiosis is the lung disease caused by tin smelters inhaling tin dioxide-containing aerosols for a long time during the smelting process. The incubation period of the disease is 15 to 20 years, and the progression is slow. China has not listed tin dust pneumoconiosis as an occupational disease.

　　There are few reports on the pathological manifestations of tin dust pneumoconiosis. Guangxi Medical University and Guangxi Occupational Disease Research Institute once injected tin dioxide (SnO2) dust into the trachea of rats, and after 6 months and 12 months, a large number of dust cell foci and granulomatous inflammatory lesions were found in the lungs. There were a few fibroblasts around the dust foci, and no nodules or interstitial fibrosis were found. The Guangxi Xiumu Tin Mine performed an autopsy on a tin smelter diagnosed with tin dust pneumoconiosis before death, who had a 5-year history of exposure to tin dust, and died of liver cancer. Pathological examination found 3-4mm brownish tin dust foci in the lungs, with no obvious fibrosis or pleural thickening.

　　The clinical symptoms of tin dust pneumoconiosis are mild, and systemic symptoms rarely occur. But it often combines with emphysema and pulmonary infection.

　　Emphysema refers to the reduction of airway elasticity at the distal end of the terminal bronchioles (respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli), leading to excessive expansion, inflation, and increase in lung volume of alveoli, or accompanied by destruction of the airway wall. According to the cause of onset, emphysema has the following types: senile emphysema, compensatory emphysema, interstitial emphysema, focal emphysema, perivascular emphysema, obstructive emphysema.

　　The key to controlling and reducing tin dust pneumoconiosis lies in prevention. The first step in prevention is to reduce the dust in the working environment, strengthen publicity and education, formulate hygiene cleaning systems, and achieve civilized production. Do a good job of pre-employment and regular physical examinations, regular chest X-ray examinations, and regular follow-up for those who have left the dust work. Those with upper respiratory tract diseases, bronchopulmonary diseases, especially those with pulmonary tuberculosis and cardiovascular diseases, are not allowed to engage in tin dust work. Strengthen personal protection, pay attention to personal hygiene, carry out physical exercise, pay attention to nutrition, etc.

　　Due to the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach movement in patients with tin dust pneumoconiosis, it is advisable to choose diets that have the functions of invigorating the spleen and stomach, high nutrition, and easy absorption. For example: lean meat, eggs, milk, bean powder, fresh vegetables, and fruits. It is forbidden to take cold and greasy foods.

　　The dietary principles for tin dust lung disease patients are as follows:

　　a. Increase high-quality protein.

　　Increase the intake of high-quality protein, which should be 90-110 grams per day to supplement the patient's body consumption and enhance the body's immune function.

　　b. Eat more pork blood and black fungus.

　　Pork blood and black fungus are traditional Chinese folk preventive and health foods. The plasma protein in pork blood, after decomposition by human gastric acid and digestive enzymes, can produce a substance that detoxifies and lubricates the intestines, reacts and combines with dust entering the body, and is excreted from the body with waste. Black fungus has a special function of helping to digest fibrous substances.

　　c. Increase the intake of vitamin A.

　　Vitamin A can maintain the health of epithelial cell tissues, especially respiratory epithelial tissues, and has certain benefits in reducing cough symptoms and preventing asthma. Vitamin A is most abundant in animal foods, especially in animal liver, kidney, and yolks, cream, etc.

　　In traditional Chinese medicine, tin dust lung disease is caused by long-term exposure to tin dust environment, dust inhalation, deposition in the lungs, blocking the lung collaterals, leading to lung failure and weakened function of the lung in governing qi and promoting its dispersion. The treatment is as follows:

　　1. Lung Dryness and Yin Deficiency

　　Symptoms: Cough, blood-streaked phlegm, shortness of breath with slight exertion, dry throat and nose, fatigue and emaciation, constipation, red tongue with little saliva. Treatment should focus on clearing dryness and moistening the lung. Qingzao Jiu Fei Decoction with added Baiji, Jinejin, and Muzhecao can be used.

　　2. Blood and Phlegm Stasis in the Lung

　　Symptoms: Pain in the chest like a thorn, chest tightness, cough with phlegm, dark tongue coating, greasy coating, wiry and涩 pulse or wiry and slippery pulse. Treatment should focus on resolving phlegm, removing blood stasis, and promoting lung function. Daotan Decoction combined with Taohong Siwu Decoction can be modified and used.

　　3. Dry Phlegm Congestion in the Lung

　　Symptoms: Rapid cough, dry throat pain, blood-streaked phlegm, uncomfortable expectoration, chest tightness and pain, red tongue with dry and rough coating, thin and rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on moistening the lung and resolving phlegm. Lübei Yangying Decoction with added raw earth and Maidong can be used.

　　4. Lung Qi and Yin Deficiency Syndrome

　　Symptoms: Weak cough, shortness of breath, thin, watery phlegm in large quantities, occasionally with blood, afternoon fever, fatigue, pale complexion with rosy cheeks, pale tongue with little saliva, weak and rapid pulse. Treatment should focus on invigorating qi and nourishing yin. Shashen Maidong Decoction or Baozhen Decoction can be modified and used.