Interstitial Lung Diseases

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Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis.
Breathing in dust or other particles in the air are responsible for some types of interstitial lung diseases. Specific types include

Black lung disease among coal miners, from inhaling coal dust
Farmer's lung, from inhaling farm dust
Asbestosis, from inhaling asbestos fibers
Siderosis, from inhaling iron from mines or welding fumes
Silicosis, from inhaling silica dust

Other causes include autoimmune diseases or occupational exposures to molds, gases, or fumes. Some types of interstitial lung disease have no known cause.
Treatment depends on the type of exposure and the stage of the disease. It may involve medicines, oxygen therapy, or a lung transplant in severe cases.

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Interstitial Lung Diseases is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Silica a Hazard at Fracking Sites, Report Says

06/21/2012 08:00 PM EDT

Oil and gas field workers face health hazards from silica sand used in the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process, an arm of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday.
Source: Reuters Health