Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
Published on: October 22, 2014
Occupational exposure to dust: inflammation and ischaemic heart disease
1Department of Occupational Health, Swedish National Institute for Working Life, Solna, Sweden.
Objectives:
To review the possible association between occupational exposure to dust and ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
Methods:
A literature search was performed of relevant studies regarding IHD in specific exposures to dust. The chosen exposures were arsenic, asbestos, beryllium, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and quartz. The chosen occupations were farmers, paper and paper pulp workers, sawyers, and welders.
Discussion:
A theory was launched in 1995 that urban particulate air pollution may provoke alveolar inflammation, with release of mediators capable of increasing blood coagulability in susceptible people and cause cardiovascular deaths. The present review expands this hypothesis and links occupational exposure to inhaled particles with the occurrence of ischaemic heart disease.
Conclusion:
This hypothesis should be tested by comparing the concentrations of fibrinogen in workers exposed and nonexposed to particles with control for other possible confounders such as smoking habits.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Asthma-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

