Lung problems

[Bluegum]

With all the home renvations going on around the country we are hopefully all aware of the danngers of asbestos. Recently while doing my WHS card there were some blokes talking about the issues of gyprock. They were talking about a problem called fibrosis (spelling) of the lung. Its claimed that the powder from the setting compound can get further down into the lung and cause the same issues as asbestos. I have heard this from a couple of people in different parts of the BLD industry. Is there any one who can provide a bit more information on this as i am interested in it.

[Eastie]

Similar to 20+ years ago when all unknown cancerous types of diseases were classified simply as 'cancer', there is growing research and knowledge in the various diseases resulting from airborne dust exposure (fibrosis).
Fibrosis is a general condition that is associated with a large number of dusts, from asbestos through to general construction dusts including silica dusts and 'general dusts' not otherwise specified. The mechanism of the disease (if that's the right saying) has a lot to do with the capacity of the lungs to expel dusts that enter. When intake of dust exceeds the lungs capacity to expel the foreign matter, or where the structure or chemical nature of the dust particles is such that the lungs cannot deal with them (like asbestos) then there's potential for tissue damage and subsequent scarring of lung tissue.
This in general is called fibrosis.

A large number of construction materials contain silicates and other compounds linked to fibrosis diseases and as such they should be used and handled as per established safe work methods or the manufacturers recommendations on the MSDS (e.g. some plaster products contain small amounts of crystalline quartz which is a known carcinogen). As with most risks, including asbestosis, damage to health is generally associated with high levels of exposures, but there are always exceptions and I'm not a great believer in such generalisations. Given the huge latency period in most of these hazards (e.g. 15-25 years in some instances), you'd be a fool if you didn't take reasonable precautions to protect yourself (and your family, mates helping out, ...).

[Bluegum]

Eastie,

Thanks mate as that makes a lot of sense. Your quite correct in the comments about looking after yourself when working with these sorts of materials. I guess many think that if its not fibro then it can not hurt me and this is the start of many problems. I wonder just how many are aware of the damage that wood dust can cause while they are creating it. Thanks once again as i will be digging out any MSDS's that I need when working just to be sure.

[simso]

I agree, if it makes dust then dont breath it, the biggest "fibrosis" problem at the moment is with sandblasting, hi silica content, and the next one is poly urethane painting - but thats because your breathing live organisms. I reckon in the next 20yrs we will see so much lung cancer problems that it makes the current asbestosis dilemma look mild
Simso

[Rocker]

I have a slight amount of scarring in my lungs. My GP makes out that it is not due to woodworking dust, but I am not so sure. I was exposed to a certain amount of dust (bulldust coming up through the floor of my vehicle) when I was working as a field geologist, but I doubt whether the exposure was enough to cause lung damage. I am more inclined to think it may be the result of dust from woodworking, which I have done a lot of since I retired 10 years ago.

Rocker