Black lung disease is preventable
Are you at risk of developing a dust-related lung disease? Your risk is directly linked to your total level of exposure to dust.
Thanks to our rigorous system of regulation and compliance in NSW, your risk of developing a dust disease is low.
CWP is commonly known as ‘black lung disease’. The disease gets its name because affected lungs appear to be black in colour rather than pink.
Causes:
Symptoms:
CWP may take several years to develop (sometimes 20 to 30 years).
Simple CWP
Complicated CWP (Progressive Massive Fibrosis)
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for black lung disease and there is no cure. Most treatments are aimed at limiting further damage to the lung, managing symptoms and improving quality of life. For Simple CWP, avoiding exposure to harmful dust may stabilise the disease.
Silicosis is a lung disease similar to coal workers pneumoconiosis in that it causes scarring to the lungs.
Causes:
Symptoms:
Silicosis usually takes several years to develop. There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Silicosis makes you more susceptible to infectious diseases if the lungs and it is thought to play a role in the onset of lung cancer.
Treatment:
Early detection is vital as silicosis cannot be cured. Its progression can be slowed if exposure to respirable crystalline silica is avoided, especially at an early stage of the disease.