Pneumoconiosis is a form of interstitial lung disease (ILD) that commonly occurs secondary to occupational or environmental exposures. This is an emerging disease as there are many potential forms of pathologic insults. Further adding to the complication is that clinical symptomatology secondary to pneumoconiosis can have long latent periods, as repetitive exposure over years leads to long-standing inflammation and subsequent irreversible damage. Exposure to asbestos, coal, silica, aluminum, talc, hay, and many more agents has the potential to cause pneumoconiosis. This case highlights a veteran, who made his career working with heavy metals such as chromium, beryllium, and titanium in the aerospace defense industry. This case discusses high-risk occupations, a workup for suspected pneumoconiosis, management, and the mechanism of lung injury underlying the three aforementioned pathologic agents. In each case of pneumoconiosis, a thorough history is essential, and diagnoses are made via the incorporation of the patient's historical risk factors, pulmonary function test (PFT) findings, and high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT).
Keywords: beryllium exposure; chromium; heavy metal pneumoconiosis; obstructive lung disease; pneumoconiosis; restrictive lung disease; titanium.
Copyright © 2024, Potesta et al.