A rare case of thermoplastic pneumoconiosis: polyvinyl chloride pneumoconiosis: a case report

Yusuf Samir Hasanli; Meral Türk; Şirin Ergüden Kendirlinan

doi:10.37499/PIA.1166

Yusuf Samir Hasanli Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Diseases, Department of Occupational Diseases
Meral Türk Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Department of Occupational Diseases
Şirin Ergüden Kendirlinan Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Department of Occupational Diseases

Keywords: polyvinyl chloride, pneumoconiosis, thermoplastic, polyvinyl chloride pneumoconiosis

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride is a widely used synthetic plastic polymer worldwide. Today, it is used in many areas, such as health, electricity, electronics, and construction, especially in the building sector. It is known to have many harms to human health. Our case is a 39-year-old male patient who has been working in the plastics industry for 16 years. The patient, who was diagnosed with a gastric neuroendocrine tumor while working, applied to us to investigate the relationship between his tumor and work. Although a clear relationship could not be established, it was found that he had pneumoconiosis during the examination. It was thought this was due to the polyvinyl chloride he had been exposed to for years. As a result, pneumoconiosis can also be seen in people working in the thermoplastic industry, apart from classical pneumoconiosis-forming dust such as silica, silicate and coal. It is very important to detect these patients early with screening and prevent exposure.