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Industrial bronchitis - Overview

Alternative Names

Occupational bronchitis

Definition of Industrial bronchitis:

Industrial bronchitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large airways of the lungs that occurs in some people who work around certain dusts, fumes, smoke, or other substances.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Exposure to dusts, fumes, strong acids, and other chemicals in the air causes this type of bronchitis. Smoking may also contribute.

You may be at risk if you are exposed to dusts such as:

Asbestos
Coal
Cotton
Flax
Silica
Talc

Bronchitis

Lung anatomy

Bronchitis and Normal Condition in Tertiary Bronchus

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 1/18/2008
Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2008.

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