Abstract
IN his inaugural thesis (Thése de Paris, No. 522; 1939), Dr. André Assémat remarks that the inhalation of dust is the cause of various lesions in the respiratory system, but that the gravity of the pulmonary involvement is mainly due to its effect on the general condition. He adopts Teleky's classification of the modes of action of dust in the following eight groups: (1) A microchemical action giving rise to characteristic lesions, especially in the case of silicosis and asbestosis. (2) An action which does not produce any changes in the lung until after intense and prolonged inhalation, as in the case of coal and non-siliceous mineral dust. (3) An action affecting the respiratory tract rather than the lung, as in the case of coarse wood dust, textiles and cereals. (4) A carcinogenic action caused by the dust of chromates, nickel and radioactive substances. (5) A sensitizing or allergic action. (6) A chemical action favouring the development of inflammatory processes. (7) An infective action when the dust is associated with microorganisms and fungi, etc. (8) An intoxication of the system, as in the case of manganese. Apart from its own action, dust may be an aggravating factor in the course of lung disease. The tuberculosis problem is closely connected with that of pneumoconiosis, and especially silicosis, which always aggravates the prognosis. Occupational diseases due to dust represent an important cause of temporary or permanent incapacity for work and therefore have a bad effect on the general activity of a country. Before studying the means of repairing the damage done by certain forms of dust, it is important to secure the prevention of these diseases by the use of all the methods capable of protecting the worker, such as interception of the dust at its source, ventilation and the wearing of masks. The medical officer should play an important part in the engagement of workers and should reject any who suffer from pulmonary disease, especially tuberculosis, as well as those with a defective naso-pharynx. After enrolment, the workers should undergo periodical examination, and skiagrams should ba taken and kept for future reference.
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Dust and Disease. Nature 144, 662 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/144662b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/144662b0