J Occup Health. 2019 Jan;61(1):10-18. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12031.

Update of occupational lung disease.

Suganuma N1,2, Natori Y1,3, Kurosawa H1,4, Nakano M1,5, Kasai T1,6, Morimoto Y1,7; Japan Society for Occupational Health Occupational Lung Disease Study Group.

Author information

1

Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.

2

Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi Univeristy, Nankoku, Japan.

3

Hirano-Kameido Himawari-Clinic, Koto-ku, Japan.

4

Department of Occupational Health, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

5

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Japan.

6

Department of Pathology, Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai, Japan.

7

University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Occupational Lung Disease is an oldest but still a biggest problem in occupational health.

METHODS:

Steering Committee members of the Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group selected and summarized current topics on occupational lung diseases based on expert opinion, as informed by governmental regulation, public health concerns, and frequently discussed in related academic conferences.

RESULTS:

The topics included in this review are professional education in medical screening skills, 2014 update of Helsinki Criteria, respiratory diseases found in the earthquake and tsunami affected regions, newly recognized occupational lung diseases, and potential respiratory health hazards.

DISCUSSIONS:

Although occupational lung diseases seem to stay as one of the major concerns in occupational health, screening tools and control measures are standardized for the better prevention of the diseases. As this health problem usually occurs in where the most actively economically developing area is, the patients tend to increase in emerging economic powers with huge population.