Updates on the Evaluation, Diagnosis, and New Manifestations of Occupational Lung Disease

More than 10% of all lung diseases are estimated to result from workplace exposures. This includes diseases caused almost exclusively by work which can be identified with careful medical surveillance, and those that also occur in the general population which are often missed due to the lack of a careful occupational history. Pulmonary specialists must be vigilant in recognizing and managing these preventable diseases. Success in doing so requires familiarity with the latest in surveillance and diagnostic tools and techniques, as well as knowledge of diseases, resulting from newer or previously unrecognized workplace exposures.