Aluminosis (also known as aluminium lung) is a

restrictive lung disease Restrictive lung diseases are a category of extrapulmonary, pleural, or parenchymal respiratory diseases that restrict lung expansion, resulting in a decreased lung volume, an increased work of breathing, and inadequate ventilation and/or oxygena ...

caused by exposure to aluminum-bearing

dust Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in ...

. Aluminosis is a form of

pneumoconiosis Pneumoconiosis is the general term for a class of interstitial lung disease where inhalation of dust ( for example, ash dust, lead particles, pollen grains etc) has caused interstitial fibrosis. The three most common types are asbestosis, silico ...

that can lead to

pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs become scarred over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, feeling tired, weight loss, and nail clubbing. Complications may include pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failu ...

. First cases of lung damage from aluminium exposure were reported in 1930s in Germany. It can be detected by using

high-resolution computed tomography High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a type of computed tomography (CT) with specific techniques to enhance image resolution. It is used in the diagnosis of various health problems, though most commonly for lung disease, by assessing t ...

. Findings may vary, showing nodular or slightly irregular opacities that may merge into more prominent forms, most frequently in the upper lung fields, sometimes in the lower lung fields, and less frequently a diffuse micro nodular pattern. In severe cases, pulmonary fibrosis with honeycombing was described. Workers exposed to aluminium dust are often involved in industries such as explosives manufacturing (where

aluminium powder Aluminium powder is powdered aluminium. This was originally produced by mechanical means using a stamp mill to create flakes. Subsequently, a process of spraying molten aluminium to create a powder of droplets was developed by E. J. Hall in the ...

is involved), aluminium

welding Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature techniques such as b ...

(and grinding), and bauxite smelting.

References

External links

* https://icdlist.com/icd-10/J63.0 Lung diseases due to external agents Occupational diseases Respiratory diseases {{respiratory-disease-stub