Question

Exposure to occupational hazards such as coal dust, silica dust, and asbestos may lead to fibrosis, or scarring of lung tissue. with this condition, the lungs become stiff and have more “recoil.” what would happen to tlc and vc under these conditions?

Answer 1

In conditions of lung fibrosis caused by exposure to hazards like asbestos, both Total Lung Capacity (TLC) and Vital Capacity (VC) are reduced due to decreased lung compliance and increased lung stiffness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Exposure to occupational hazards such as coal dust, silica dust, and asbestos may lead to fibrosis, or scarring of lung tissue, which results in the lungs becoming stiff and having more recoil. This is characteristic of restrictive lung diseases, such as asbestosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), more commonly known as black lung disease. When the lungs become stiff, their compliance decreases, meaning they are less able to expand. This decreased compliance leads to a reduced Total Lung Capacity (TLC) because the lungs cannot hold as much air as before.

Additionally, due to the reduced compliance and increased stiffness, the Vital Capacity (VC), which is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation, also decreases. Since the lung tissue cannot efficiently bend and move, it cannot exhale the air as effectively. Thus, both TLC and VC are negatively affected under conditions of lung fibrosis caused by inhalation of hazardous materials like asbestos.

Answer 2

During cystic fibrosis, lung functioning becomes abnormal. Vital capacity of the lungs decreases. The total lung capacity also decrease.