iCare head radiographer Dr Linda Apin advises anyone who’s been exposed to silica to come for a lung screening, as early-stage silicosis may not present any symptoms. Photo: Erin Hee.
The NSW Government’s $2.5 million mobile lung-screening unit has parked in Wagga with its doors open for workers with jobs involving dust exposure.
The iCare Lung Bus, which will be in the carpark at the corner of Tarcutta and Cross streets, is a one-stop service that includes X-ray, lung function screening and referral for CT scans that will be paid for. The service is free for retired workers or stonemasons, while other workers will be charged $100 plus GST.
iCare head radiographer Dr Linda Apin said common symptoms included coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains and mucus in the airways, with a lung transplant required for patients with advanced silicosis.
The Lung Bus is fitted with advanced technology. Photo: Erin Hee.
When materials are processed through mining, drilling and sanding, fine solid particles are dispersed into the air. These particles are known as occupational dust and commonly include silica, asbestos, coal, wood and metals.
Even short-term exposure can cause serious damage to the lungs and respiratory system, including silicosis, asbestosis, pneumoconiosis (or black lung disease, common in coal miners) and lung cancer.
Dr Apin, who is in charge of the Lung Bus, urged workers exposed to silicosis to come in for a screening as early silicosis may not show any symptoms.
“Just because you’ve got no symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have silicosis,” she said.
“It’s all about early diagnosis so we can give them a lot of support if they come and have a screening and we find that there’s something wrong.
“We screen a lot of people on a regular basis, it’s not just a one-off screening. They will be able to come back regularly and we’ll follow up as their symptoms progress.”
General practitioner Diarmuid Fogarty warned that smoking “is a definite no-no” for people working with silica.
“Yes, it is more likely [for people working with silica] to develop silicosis,” Dr Fogarty said.
“If they do get silicosis, it makes them much more likely to get lung cancer if they smoke.”
Wagga residents who need regular screenings won’t need to travel, as the bus will screen them again the next time it comes back. Patients with more severe symptoms will require screenings every year, whereas those with less severe problems may be screened once every three years.
Dr Apin said prevention was better than cure, and advised workers in jobs with dust exposure to have their gear fit-tested.
“A fit test is a special test to make sure that you don’t get any dust that comes in when you wear your mask,” she said.
“They need to wear the mask and be clean-shaven. There’s one mask you can have if you’ve got a beard, but if you’re only wearing the half-face mask, you have to be clean-shaven.
“It is difficult trying to convince guys to shave their beards off, so it’s all about education.
“Five years ago, they weren’t that interested, but there’s been so much social media about it, and people are much more interested in their health.”
The Lung Bus is parked at the corner of Tarcutta and Cross streets. Photo: Supplied.
The Lung Bus is almost fully booked during its visit to Wagga Wagga, but there are still a few vacancies on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dr Apin encouraged anyone interested to call 1800 550 027 to check for vacancies as the bus was working on full capacity, with each screening taking up to 45 minutes.
Screenings are free for retired workers or workers in the stonemason industry, but those in other fields will need to pay a highly subsidised fee of $100 plus GST, which would otherwise cost the facility up to $800 a person. If Dr Apin or Dr Fogarty deems a CT scan is necessary, it would be paid for.
While Dr Apin thinks Wagga is “quite a healthy area”, anyone who missed the bus while in Wagga can book a screening for next Monday and Tuesday when the bus goes to Tumut, or register their interest on iCare’s website.
