Occupational health—pneumoconiosis and dust exposure “Pneumoconiosis” is a chronic lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of which type of industrial dust?

Introduction / Context:
Pneumoconiosis refers to a family of occupational lung diseases resulting from prolonged inhalation of mineral and industrial dusts leading to lung fibrosis. In industrial hygiene, identifying the dust type guides prevention, monitoring, and regulatory control.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Exposure is chronic and at workplace levels.
• Classic examples: coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (anthracosis), silicosis, asbestosis, and siderosis.
• The question seeks a representative dust widely associated with the term.

Concept / Approach:
Among the listed choices, coal dust is historically and clinically the most recognized cause of pneumoconiosis (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis). Iron dust can cause siderosis (a milder pneumoconiosis), while uranium dust raises radiological hazards. Lime dust mainly causes irritation rather than classic fibrotic pneumoconiosis.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Epidemiological data from mining regions confirm coal workers’ pneumoconiosis as a prevalent occupational lung disease over decades.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Uranium ore: radiological and heavy-metal toxicity dominate, not classic pneumoconiosis prevalence.
• Iron ore: associated with siderosis but less fibrogenic than coal/silica.
• Lime dust: irritant and caustic, not primarily fibrogenic.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming any dust equals pneumoconiosis; fibrogenicity and particle characteristics matter.

Final Answer:
Coal dust