What are occupational interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)?
Occupational interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a group of lung diseases caused by breathing in certain harmful substances at work. They include dusts, fibres, fumes or vapours.
Some higher risk jobs are:
- mining
- construction and demolition, including stone cutting and masonry work
- worktop manufacturing
- farming
- textile production.
Breathing in the harmful substance regularly over many months or years or in large amounts, can lead to inflammation and scarring of your lungs.
Around 10 to 20% of all ILDs are occupational ILDs.
Non-urgent advice: What is an interstitial lung disease (ILD)?
An ILD is a lung condition that affects the tissues that support the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. This group of tissues is called the interstitium.
Find out more about how ILDs like occupational ILDs affect your lungs and airways.
Types of occupational ILD
There are different types of occupational ILDs, depending on the type of harmful substance.
The longer you’re exposed to the substance, the higher your risk of developing an occupational ILD.
| Type of occupational ILD | Caused by |
| Asbestosis | asbestos, which is a building material used from the 1950s to the 1990s |
| Coal workers' pneumoconiosis or black lung disease | coal dust |
| Silicosis | silica dust, which is found in some stones, rocks and concrete. Building materials used for worktops (quartz) contain high amounts of silica. |
| Berylliosis | beryllium metal, which is used to make some aircraft parts and technology |
| Byssinosis | cotton or textile dust, which can be found in mills and factories |
| Farmer's lung, a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis | mould particles that grow on hay, straw and grains. |
What are the symptoms of occupational ILDs?
Occupational ILDs affect everyone differently.
Common symptoms include:
- a chronic (persistent), dry cough
- breathlessness, especially after exercise
- weakness and tiredness (fatigue).
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis can cause black phlegm (sputum). Asbestosis can cause chest pain, shoulder pain and clubbing (round swelling) of the fingertips.
Symptoms usually take 10 to 20 years to develop. Many people change jobs or retire before noticing symptoms.
Some people have no symptoms at all. In this case, you may only find out that you have an ILD from an X-ray for another condition.
Tell your GP about any new or worsening symptoms.
How can you prevent occupational ILDs?
In the UK, all workplaces must comply with The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, which sets a limit for harmful substances.
Your employer should take steps to protect you from work-related lung diseases, such as:
- explaining any risks to your health
- telling you how to reduce your risk of breathing in certain dusts
- giving you equipment to help you protect yourself, such as masks, gloves and eye protection.
How are occupational ILDs diagnosed?
It can take time to diagnose an occupational ILD. This is because the symptoms are often the same as other lung conditions.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms, when you get them, and anything you think might trigger them. They’ll also ask about your medical, family and work history.
They may refer you for tests, including:
- lung function tests such as spirometry
- a chest X-ray
- a CT scan
- blood tests.
If your GP thinks you may have an ILD, you may be referred to a respiratory specialist. A team of experts, called a multi-disciplinary team, will confirm your diagnosis.
Find out about the tests used to diagnose ILDs.
How are occupational ILDs treated?
Your specialist team can find the cause of your condition.
Once you know this, you should take steps to avoid the substance.
Medicines such as corticosteroids can reduce inflammation in your airways and help to manage symptoms.
Find out more about the treatment of ILDs.
How are occupational ILDs managed?
Most people will have a review at least once a year. If you’re having treatment at a specialist centre, you may be seen every 3 to 4 months until your condition is stable.
Your specialist will review your symptoms and do some lung function tests to see how well your treatments are working.
If you’re breathless, your specialist may refer you for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). You may also be prescribed home oxygen therapy if you have low oxygen levels in your blood.
Your specialist can support you to make changes to your lifestyle to improve your symptoms, such as eating healthily and stopping smoking.
Read more about how to manage ILDs like occupational ILDs.
What’s the outlook for occupational ILDs?
The outlook can vary depending on:
- the type and amount of the harmful substance you were exposed to
- how long you were exposed to the harmful substance
- the amount of lung scarring you have, if you have any.
Some occupational ILDs such as silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, can increase your risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute bronchitis and pneumonia.
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent progressive scarring of the lungs, called pulmonary fibrosis and reduce your risk of other lung conditions.
Non-urgent advice: Compensation for occupational ILDs
If you became ill because of exposure to a harmful substance at work, you may be eligible for an industrial injuries disablement benefit.
There’s also compensation for health problems caused by mining, such as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.
Find out more about financial support and benefits when you have a lung condition.
Help and support for occupational ILDs
Meeting other people who are living with lung conditions, who relate with your experiences, can help you build a supportive network.
- Join one of our online communities on Health Unlocked forum to speak to other people with similar experiences to you.
- Find support in your area, including online and face to face support groups, mobility and wellbeing sessions, and singing for lung health sessions.
- Get in touch with our friendly helpline to talk about any aspects of your lung condition. We’ll give you as much time as you need to talk about what’s important to you.
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis has information about support groups for anyone living with and affected by pulmonary fibrosis, including friends, family and carers. They also have more information and real-life stories about working with a lung condition.
How we develop our health information
About our health information
All our information is reviewed and updated by Asthma + Lung UK’s experienced Health Advice Team. People living with lung conditions, qualified healthcare professionals and specialists also review our content.
This information has been clinically reviewed and approved by Asthma + Lung UK’s Clinical Leads, Dr Matthew Swallow, a practising GP, and Nazir Hussain, a specialist pharmacist, who share a passion for improving respiratory care.
Our information is based on the latest, trustworthy evidence and guidelines. Below is a sample list of the sources referenced in our occupational ILD information.
- Wells, AU & Hirani N. Interstitial lung disease guideline: the British Thoracic Society in collaboration with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Irish Thoracic Society. Thorax. 2008.
- Health and Safety Executive. Lung disease: higher-risk jobs and industries, About work-related lung disease and The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). 2026
- Spagnolo P, Ryerson CJ, Guler S et al. Occupational interstitial lung diseases. Open Access. 2023
If you'd like a full list of the sources we've used to produce our health information, you can email us at healthadvicequeries@asthmaandlung.org.uk.
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Call or email our helpline for support with any aspect of living with a lung condition – whether you need practical advice, emotional support, or answers to health-related questions. You can also find support through our groups.
