Coal miners, textile workers and people working in about 100 other potentially hazardous occupations aren't the only ones whose work could lead to pneumoconioses [lung disease]. Everyone active in the animal care industry is exposed daily to mechanically inhaled substances that can cause occupational-type asthma. 
Occupational asthma is a respiratory disorder related to occupational inhalants [dusts, vapors, gases and fumes]. It is characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. 
You probably are nodding your head and remembering a particular product that has caused these symptoms. Such physical responses most commonly are referred to as asthmatic reactions. Constant reactions and inhalation exposure can lead to lung disease. Common inhalants for people in the animal industry are listed in Table 1. 
The ability to recognize the sources and types of exposure requires knowledge long ignored in out industry. Couple this with the tendency of most people in animal care to ignore yearly physicals, routine check-ups and follow-up appointments [because we "feel fine"], and we could be facing the naming of a "new" type of lung disease. 
Until problems with our bodies arise, we have the tendency to avoid getting proper care. We were born with certain limitations on replacement parts, however, lungs are furnished in a set, even though some people can function well with only one. You may have your eyes checked yearly and get regular dental check-ups, but when was the last time you had a chest x-ray? 
 
Table 1. 
Most Common Inhalants in the Animal Care Industry
Pesticides [all types] Hair & Dust
Animal Dander Perfume Oils
Silicon powders Coat Conditioners
Chalk powders Lacquers
Equipment sprays [petro oils] Disinfectants
Air fresheners Chemical cleaners

Have a pulmonary function test added to the list of assorted exams for your yearly physical. The Public Health Department gives chest X-rays and Tuberculosis tests free or for a nominal charge in most states. Tuberculin tests are important to all animal handlers, pulmonary disease specialists maintain, because of the amount of dirt and dust we come into contact with 
during the grooming cycle. 
With most lung disorders there is no early detection; positive diagnosis by a physician means irreversible damage has been done. 
While at first you may notice the symptoms of occupational-type asthma only occasionally, the airway obstruction is intermittent and reversible. After repeated exposure, fixed obstructive changes may appear as a result of continuing exposure. 
 

Function of Lungs

To understand lungs better, let us review their function. The healthy lung exchanges air for carbon dioxide products, which are body wastes. The lung can and does tolerate a tremendous amount of insult. It is amazingly tough for such a complex and delicate organ. Lung capacity is great, but damage can become irreversible. The alveoli [air pockets] can become plugged, severely reducing breathing ability. Figure 1 shows the difference between normal and abnormal lung tissue. 
When chronic disease causes the aleoli to become plugged, the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide ceases, causing decreased lung function and 
breathing difficulties. It has been suggested in many medical papers that lung function can decrease to 80% before breathing impairment is observed. It cannot be overemphasized that prevention is the only answer in this case. 
 
 
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