Occupational interstitial lung disease

Occupational ILD is a diverse group of preventable pulmonary diseases that accounts for a significant portion of all ILD. There are numerous well-described and poorly characterized causative agents, and new causative exposures continue to be described. Diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and a thorough occupational and environmental history. Treatment is similar to idiopathic forms of ILD but also includes removal from exposure. Primary and secondary disease prevention should be pursued for exposed co-workers whenever a new case of occupational ILD is identified.