Lungfunction.ca
Services
B Reading
B Readers participate in medical surveillance programs that utilize chest radiographs for the early detection of pneumoconiosis in dust exposed workers. This provides an opportunity for early interventions to minimize the chance of disease progression.
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B-readings are performed by physicians who are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). We offer B-reads performed by Canada's only NIOSH-certified B Reader.
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Medical Monitoring Programs
We offer assistance with the design and execution of monitoring programs for silicosis in the province of British Columbia to meet provincial requirements as outlined in "Guidelines for Standard Practice for Medical Monitoring Programs".
What is pneumoconiosis?
​​The pneumoconioses collectively are a group of lung diseases caused by the lung’s reaction when breathing in certain dusts. Exposure to these dusts is typically at a workplace. Specific pneumoconiosis are related to the type of dust that a person is exposed to.
Silicosis is an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable dust containing crystalline silica. Individuals with silicosis are at increased risk of tuberculosis and lung cancer. Silicosis is a progressive, incurable, and potentially fatal disease that can be effectively prevented by limiting exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. (Adapted from Silicosis 2010 Case Definition by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP or black lung) is an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of respirable dust containing coal.
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Other forms of pneumoconiosis can be caused by inhaling dusts containing aluminum, antimony, barium, graphite, iron, kaolin, mica or talc.​
Contact Us
Mailing Address: 1402 Veteran Drive, Penticton BC V2A 8Y2
email: tim.vanderheide@outlook.com
Dr. T. Van Der Heide Inc. owns and operates lungfunction.ca. Dr. Tim Van Der Heide is a physician licenced to practice in the province of British Columbia, Canada and a NIOSH certified B reader.
