[1][2] These can be caused directly or due to immunological response to an exposure to a variety of dusts, chemicals, proteins or organisms.
It has been reported to occur from exposure to inhaled toxins and gases including sulfur mustard gas, nitrogen oxides, diacetyl (used in many food and beverage flavorings), 2,3-pentanedione, fly ash and fiberglass.
People who work in mining, construction, manufacturing (specifically textiles, rubber, plastic, and leather), building, and utilities are at higher risk for COPD than the average US worker.
[6] Numerous categories of ionizing radiation, chemicals and mixtures, occupational exposures, metals, dust and fibers have been linked to occurrence of lung cancer.
Workers are frequently exposed to asbestos during demolition and renovation work, which can cause asbestosis and/or mesothelioma.
[9] BCME (Bis(chloromethyl) ether) is associated with small cell lung cancer in workers who have been exposed.
[3] Beryllium is classified as an IARC Group 1 carcinogen and can also cause interstitial lung disease.
[3] Diesel exhaust contains a variety of gaseous and particulate chemicals, including soot, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other known carcinogens.
[3] Flocking is the technique of adding small pieces of nylon or other material to a backing, usually a textile, to create a contrasting texture.
[4] The high surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticles may make them an inhalation hazard for workers exposed to them.
[3] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), fused-ring chemicals formed during the combustion of fossil fuels, are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 complex to highly reactive carbocations, which can mutate DNA and cause cancer.
Workers may be exposed to PAHs while working in a foundry, in the roofing industry, or due to environmental tobacco smoke.
[3] World Trade Center lung is a cluster of diseases caused by exposure to fallout at Ground Zero of the September 11 attacks in 2001.