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pneumoconiosis
(noo″mo-ko″ne-o´sis)
any of a group of lung diseases resulting from inhalation of particles of industrial substances, particularly inorganic dusts such as the dust of
iron ore or coal, and permanent deposition of substantial amounts of such particles in the lungs. The diseases vary in severity;
most are occupational diseases, acquired by workers in the course of their jobs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and expectoration of mucus containing some of the offending particles. Severe types include silicosis, asbestosis, and coal workers' pneumoconiosis. There are many other types, often named for the substance inhaled, such as aluminosis, cadmiosis, and siderosis.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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