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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 44(03): 327-339
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764406
Review Article

Pathology and Mineralogy of the Pneumoconioses

Jeremy T. Hua
1   Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
2   Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
,
Carlyne D. Cool
3   Division of Pathology, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
4   Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
,
Francis H. Y. Green
5   Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
› Author Affiliations Funding J.T.H. was supported by the Reuben M. Cherniack research fellowship at National Jewish Health and a National Institutes of Health fellowship training program grant (grant no.: NIH/NHLBI 2T32HL007085–46).
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Abstract

Pneumoconioses represent the spectrum of lung diseases caused by inhalation of respirable particulate matter small enough (typically <5-µm diameter) to reach the terminal airways and alveoli. Pneumoconioses primarily occur in occupational settings where workers perform demanding and skilled manual labor including mining, construction, stone fabrication, farming, plumbing, electronics manufacturing, shipyards, and more. Most pneumoconioses develop after decades of exposure, though shorter latencies can occur from more intense particulate matter exposures. In this review, we summarize the industrial exposures, pathologic findings, and mineralogic features of various well-characterized pneumoconioses including silicosis, silicatosis, mixed-dust pneumoconiosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, chronic beryllium disease, aluminosis, hard metal pneumoconiosis, and some less severe pneumoconioses. We also review a general framework for the diagnostic work-up of pneumoconioses for pulmonologists including obtaining a detailed occupational and environmental exposure history. Many pneumoconioses are irreversible and develop due to excessive cumulative respirable dust inhalation. Accurate diagnosis permits interventions to minimize ongoing fibrogenic dust exposure. A consistent occupational exposure history coupled with typical chest imaging findings is usually sufficient to make a clinical diagnosis without the need for tissue sampling. Lung biopsy may be required when exposure history, imaging, and testing are inconsistent, there are unusual or new exposures, or there is a need to obtain tissue for another indication such as suspected malignancy. Close collaboration and information-sharing with the pathologist prior to biopsy is of great importance for diagnosis, as many occupational lung diseases are missed due to insufficient communication. The pathologist has a broad range of analytic techniques including bright-field microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and special histologic stains that may confirm the diagnosis. Advanced techniques for particle characterization such as scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy may be available in some centers.

Keywords

occupational exposure - silicosis - coal workers' pneumoconiosis - asbestosis - berylliosis - hard metal pneumoconiosis


Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2023

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