Stannosis is an occupational, non-fibrotic pneumoconiosis caused by chronic exposure and inhalation of tin. Pneumoconiosis is essentially when inorganic dust is found on the lung tissue; in this case, caused by tin oxide minerals. Dust particles and fumes from tin industries, stannous oxide (SnO) and stannic oxide (SnO2), are specific to stannosis diagnoses. Hazardous occupations such as, tinning, tin-working, and smelting are where most cases of stannosis are documented. When melted tin ions are inhaled as a fume, the tin oxides deposit onto the lung nodules and immune response cells. If a worker is exposed to tin oxides over multiple events for an extended time, they are at risk of developing stannosis. Toxicology and Physiology
Workers with acute exposures, short duration with varying dose concentrations, to tin oxides develop a mild irritation on the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. When the inorganic metal materials are inhaled, the body activates the immune system and sends macrophages to the lungs. The macrophages try removing xenobiotic particles; however, stannous and stannic oxide interfere with the cells function. Tin deposition on lung nodules becomes apparent after X-ray imaging, although the stannosis does not appear to damage the lung tissues. Since the macrophages are laden with tin oxides but little to no fibrosis, stannosis is classified as a non-fibrotic pneumoniosis. Stannosis is an rare disease with only case-by-case appearances throughout history. Therefore, a diagnostic treatment plan has not yet been created by health officials.
Because engineering controls and respiratory personal protective equipment were not used, the worker suffered grave lung damage. In comparison to health, non-tinning workers, the patient had significantly higher bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) containing tin. == References ==