Occupational Lung Disease Registry

An occupational lung disease is a lung disease that was caused by or aggravated by an exposure on the job. They are usually caused by repeated and long-term exposure to irritating or toxic substances. However, even a single, severe exposure to a hazardous substance can damage the lungs. Occupational lung diseases can also occur when an existing respiratory problem is made worse by certain job exposures.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducts surveillance of occupational lung diseases through the on-going collection of data on New York State workers who have been diagnosed with an occupational lung disease. This information is available because physicians and health facilities are required to report a person with clinical evidence of an occupational lung disease to the NYSDOH.

• New York State Occupational Lung Disease Registry brochure
• Information for Health Care Providers on the New York State Occupational Lung Disease Registry

NYSDOH also provides information to workers regarding occupational lung diseases, including responses to frequently asked questions and resources on work-related asthma.

• Information for Workers and Employers about Occupational Lung Disease

Occupational lung diseases are preventable. Industrial hygienists are experts who have a wide range of experience in helping employers, workers, clinicians, trade organizations, labor unions, local health agencies, and other organizations in the prevention of workplace hazards.

• Industrial Hygiene Consultation Services
  Information on NYSDOH technical assistance to individuals and companies for controlling workplace hazards, as well as information on industry-wide research studies to identify and develop new and more cost-effective hazard control strategies.

Link to Information on Work-Related Asthma

• Work-Related Asthma
  Provides information and resources for people with asthma and providers.

Links to Additional Information on Silicosis

• New York State Department of Health-Silicosis, Silica Exposure & Prevention Advice
  Information about silicosis, the risks of silica exposure, and prevention advice.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topics: Silica
  Extensive information regarding silica and silicosis including publications, hazard review, recommendation for preventing silicosis, sampling and analytical methods for silica, and surveillance of silicosis.
• Silicosis Surveillance Information
  This report describes public health surveillance programs that identify workers at risk for silicosis and target workplace-specific and other prevention efforts. The link is directed to an article titled, "Surveillance for Silicosis, 1993- Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin".
• New Jersey Department of Health – Silicosis
  General information on silicosis.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Safety and Health Topics: Silica, Crystalline
  Information regarding crystalline silica in the workplaces.

Links to Additional Information on Asbestos-Related Diseases

• National Cancer Institute – Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
  Information on asbestos and the health hazards of exposure to asbestos.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topics: Asbestos
  Extensive information regarding asbestos and asbestosis including recommendations for preventing exposure to asbestos, sampling and analytical methods for asbestos, and surveillance of asbestosis.

Other Related Links

• New York State Department of Health General Asthma Information
  Provides general asthma information and related links.
• American Lung Association
  Provides general information on occupational lung diseases.
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
  Provides general information on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of asthma.
• California Department of Health Services - Occupational Health Branch
  Provides information on occupational health hazards, injuries, illnesses and prevention.
• Connecticut Department of Public Health - Occupational Health Program
  Provides information on occupational respiratory diseases through the publication "Occupational Airways.”
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health - Occupational Lung Disease Bulletins
  A project of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Occupational Health Surveillance Program, the Massachusetts Thoracic Society and the Massachusetts Allergy Society. Provides one-page bulletins about various occupational lung diseases.
• Michigan State University - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
  Quarterly newsletters providing information about occupational health risks and diagnosis techniques.
• National Library of Medicine
  The National Library of Medicine has produced a website titled "Breath of Life". This site describes current research and resources, along with an exhibition that examines the history of asthma and the experience of people with asthma.
• New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services - Occupational Health Surveillance Program
  Publications providing information about occupational health, occupational asthma and silicosis.
• Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report
  This report contains summary tables and figures of occupational respiratory disease surveillance data focusing on various occupationally relevant respiratory diseases including pneumoconioses, occupational asthma and other airways diseases and several other respiratory conditions.