Flock Worker's Lung
Flock worker's lung is a chronic lung disease occurring because of inhalation of certain synthetic fibers.
Workers in the nylon flocking industry worldwide are at increased risk of chronic inflammation and scarring of the walls of small airways and spaces between the airways and air sacs (interstitium) in the lung. Flocking, widely used in the production of industrial synthetic textiles, is a process whereby short lengths of fibers are applied to backing fabric to produce plush "fleece" material. The risk of disease seems to be concentrated in areas of nylon flocking only, not in all nylon processing.
Affected workers develop shortness of breath, and abnormalities can be seen on chest x-rays. Symptoms improve, but do not always resolve completely, when exposure stops. Corticosteroids may help to further reduce symptoms.
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