Pneumoconioses

Individuals with exposure to beryllium, coal, or silica should be provided with periodic monitoring to evaluate the potential onset of pneumoconiosis. The frequency of follow-up visits will be variable depending on the individual's length and amount of exposure, but typically for an individual who has had 20 or more years of exposure, follow-up is annual. Chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity) to monitor for progression of fibrosis are commonly done, but there are no studies to show this is more effective than having the patient return if there is a change in respiratory symptoms. Current smokers may need to be followed up more often, so as to reinforce the need to cease smoking cigarettes and to provide smoking cessation advice and therapy. Identification of people with the disease should initiate a review of workplace controls, and result in removal of the patient from exposure to reduce the chance of progression. In the US, some states require cases of pneumoconiosis to be reported to the state health department.