What is an ILO x-ray? A chest x-ray performed and reported to ILO standards by a NIOSH* accredited B Reader is crucial for accurate diagnosis of lung diseases. 'ILO' refers to the accepted International Labour Organisation's standardised approach for classifying pneumoconiosis and monitoring disease progression.

Pneumoconiosis is one of a group of interstitial lung disease caused by breathing in certain kinds of dust particles that damage your lungs. Because you are likely to encounter these dusts only in the workplace, pneumoconiosis is called an occupational lung disease. Pneumoconiosis usually take years to develop.

Pneumoconiosis is a general term for lung diseases caused by breathing in certain types of dust. The disease has different forms, depending on the type of dust you breathe in. One of the most common forms is coal worker's pneumoconiosis. This is also called black lung disease.

In early stages, the most common symptoms are cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Sometime the coughing may bring up black sputum (mucus). These symptoms may initially occur after strenuous activity, but as the disease progresses, they may become present at rest as well.

The primary pneumoconioses are: Abestosis – caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Silicosis – caused by inhaling silica dust. Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (commonly referred to as CWP or black lung) – caused by inhaling coal mine dust.

There are four technical grades: (1) Good; (2) Acceptable, with no technical defect likely to impair classification; (3) Acceptable, with some technical defect but still adequate; and (4) Unacceptable. Quality defects include over- or under-exposure, underinflation, artifacts, improper positioning, and others.

The ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses is a powerful tool used throughout the world to improve workers' health surveillance, conduct epidemiological research and make comparisons of statistical data.