Organic Particles
Inhalation of some organic particles can lead
to lung impairments
– Reactive Airway Disease
Tightening of the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath
Byssinosis (cotton, linen, hemp, flax)
– Made worse with cigarette smoking
– Allergic alveolitis
Inhalation of spores from fungi and molds, protein molecules
Involves small terminal branches of bronchioles, just outside the alveoli
Symptoms: coughing, increased production of mucus, fever, fatigue, muscle aches
Diagnosis can be confused or missed because of similarity to other illnesses such as pneumonia