In some studies, sneezing, coughing, eye irritation, lung tissue swelling, asthma and throat infections were found to be more prevalent among individuals exposed to occupational dust. Moreover, the symptoms associated with impaired lung function may lead to occupational lung diseases (6, 7).
Dust inhalation is not just annoying; it can be incredibly dangerous. Fine dust particles are so small that they can easily pass through the airway and settle on the lungs. There, they can cause shortness of breath, asthma, and even deadly lung diseases.
Lungs are self-cleaning organs that will begin to heal themselves once they are no longer exposed to pollutants. The best way to ensure your lungs are healthy is by avoiding harmful toxins like cigarette smoke, vaping and air pollution, as well as getting regular exercise and eating well.
Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years, although it can sometimes develop after 5-10 years of exposure.
Dust buildup can cause serious health problems, according to Johns Hopkins Hospital lung expert Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, including serious lung infections and in rare cases, even death. “A good inhalation of dust could be life threatening depending on someone's asthma exacerbation,” Galiatsatos said.
These commonly include bronchitis-like symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People also suffer from weakness, fatigue, fever, night sweats, leg swelling and bluish discoloration of the lips.
Although cleansing and detox drinks have become increasingly popular, with concoctions of lemon juice, honey, spices, and other herbs circulating social media, there is nothing you can eat or drink that can cleanse your lungs. None of these drinks have any supportive evidence whatsoever to prove their effectiveness.
Unfortunately, that dust can contain substances like mold, pollen and other allergens—and even traces of toxic chemicals and microplastics. Those exposures can be harmful, especially for people with allergies or asthma, says Erica K. Ridley, M.D., an allergist at Henry Ford Health.
In some studies, sneezing, coughing, eye irritation, lung tissue swelling, asthma and throat infections were found to be more prevalent among individuals exposed to occupational dust. Moreover, the symptoms associated with impaired lung function may lead to occupational lung diseases (6, 7).
COPD is not curable but symptoms can improve if one avoids smoking and exposure to air pollution and gets vaccines to prevent infections.
The fallacy remains so entrenched that many workers, even the enlightened ones, believe that milk has the ability to dislodge inhaled dust. The basis of this belief is difficult to understand, because physiologically there is nothing to suggest that milk can do this.
Dust is dangerous because of its capacity to bypass our bodies' defenses, particularly ultrafine PM2. 5 particles that can lodge deep in the lungs. Furthermore, the chemical components of PM2. 5 lead to 79% of direct influenza virus infections that reach the human alveolar epithelium (Hsiao et al., 2022).
So when it's hard to breathe because of mucus in your lungs, you have three things you can do to help move the mucus out: postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing. Use these techniques to help clear your lungs and make breathing easier.
Toilet paper dust is caused by loosened fibers during manufacturing and can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues. To reduce toilet paper dust, choose high-quality, hypoallergenic, and dust-free toilet paper like bamboo toilet paper, and keep your bathroom clean and well-ventilated.
If you have a long-term (chronic) lung problem associated with excessive mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly (abdomen) can help loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs.
What drinks remove mucus from the body? Water is the best choice, but herbal teas, chicken soup, and clear broths are good too. You'll want to stay away from drinks that could dry you out, like coffee, caffeinated (black) tea, wine, and alcoholic beverages.
Seek Fresh Air
Once removed from the exposure site, finding a well-ventilated area with uncontaminated air is essential. This step aids in clearing the respiratory system of dust particles, thus minimising irritation and inflammation. Breathe Deeply: Step outdoors or into an area with pure air, and take deep breaths.
Air purifiers are devices designed to clean and sanitize the air in your home. They remove impurities in the air, including dust, smoke, odors, and other air pollutants. "Air purifiers (also called air cleaners) are designed to remove small particles from the air we breathe indoors," Mendez says.
Your lungs can't get rid of all these dust particles. So they cause inflammation in your lungs. Over time this can lead to scar tissue. Pneumoconiosis often takes years to develop.
Be aware of the health effects of breathing organic dust. Symptoms of ODTS occur 4 to 12 hours after exposure and may include fever, weakness, headache, chills, body aches, cough, and shortness of breath. Inform your doctor about recent dust exposures when seeking treatment for respiratory illness.
Molds that grow on hay, straw and grain cause farmer's lung. They can release tiny particles — too small to see — into the air when they're disturbed. When you breathe in the particles, your immune system can overreact and cause inflammation in your lungs. This causes symptoms similar to an allergic reaction.
One of the most common forms is black lung disease, also known as miner's lung. It's caused by breathing in coal dust. Another is brown lung, which comes from working around dust from cotton or other fibers. Other types of dusts that can cause pneumoconiosis include silica and asbestos.