Grading

The chest radiograph appearance seen in this condition is graded according to standards set out by the International Labour Office. These gradings are:

0 : no evidence of pneumoconiosis

1 : there are definitely small round opacities present on CXR but they are few in number

2 : there are numerous small round opacities but the normal lung markings are still visible

3 : there are numerous small round opacities on CXR and the normal lung markings are totally obscured

Note -pleural changes are seen on x-ray with asbestos exposure and not with pneumoconiosis.

Reference

1. International Labour Office. Guidelines for the use of the ILO international classification of radiographs of pneumoconioses, revised edition. 2022 [internet publication].