Dr Johanna Feary
Occupational exposures and small airway obstruction in the UK Biobank Cohort
Background
Small airways obstruction (SAO) is a key feature of both COPD and asthma, which have been associated with workplace exposures. Whether SAO, which may occur early in the development of obstructive lung disease and without symptoms, also associates with occupational exposures is unknown.
Methods
Occupational lung disease: what the general physician needs to know
Occupational exposures are a common and preventable cause of lung disease. About one in six cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma worldwide are related to work.
Occupational lung disease: when should I think of it and why is it important?
Exposure to toxic inhalants in the workplace has the potential to cause (in susceptible individuals) almost any major type of lung disease, such as asthma, COPD and interstitial lung diseases. Patients with occupational lung disease will often present to or will be managed by respiratory specialists without training in occupational respiratory medicine, and patients (or their clinicians) may not identify a link between their disease and their current or a past job.
Publication on Grenfell Firefighters Study
Wed, 07 May 2025
The Grenfell Firefighters Study is a cohort study of firefighters from the London Fire Brigade to look at the medium and long term risks associated with firefighting, with a particular emphasis on cardiorespiratory health and cancer. The cohort includes both firefighters who did, and did not attend the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Recruitment began in late 2019 and finished in 2023.
Analysis of a subgroup of blood results looking at cancer biomarkers has now been published on Scientific Reports (Feary et al, 2025). Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants.
Read the full article.
Read more about our current research.
Analysis of lung function results is expected to be complete by 31/12/2025.
Relationship between cumulative silica exposure and silicosis: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Scoping review of exposure questionnaires and surveys in interstitial lung disease
Background Many interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) have clear causal relationships with environmental and occupational exposures. Exposure identification can assist with diagnosis, understanding disease pathogenesis, prognostication and prevention of disease progression and occurrence in others at risk. Despite the importance of exposure identification in ILD, there is no standardised assessment approach. Many questionnaires are in clinical and research use, yet their utility, applicability, relevance and performance characteristics are unknown.
Silicosis on BBC Morning Live
Tue, 13 May 2025
Dr Johanna Feary was recently featured on BBC Morning Live at Royal Brompton Hospital to talk about silicosis due to artificial stone, and advises those working with the material to get their lungs checked.
The feature also includes an interview with our patient Ryan, who spoke about how his silicosis diagnosis has affected his life. Nurse Tamanna Kabir was also featured performing spirometry with Ryan.
Watch the feature on BBC Morning Live online from 11mins and 22 secs.
Silicosis on Channel 4 News
Mon, 28 Oct 2024
Dr Johanna Feary, Honorary Consultant in Occupational Lung Disease and Asthma, and patient Marek Marzec were recently interviewed by Channel 4 News to discuss the dangers of silicosis due to artificial stone. The piece was aired on Monday 28th October 2024 and you can watch it online here.
If you have ever worked with silica, stone dust, artificial stone or quartz and you are worried about silicosis, please email us now.
We see patients with suspected silicosis in our Occupational Lung Disease NHS clinic.
Small airways obstruction and mortality: findings from the UK Biobank
Background
Small airways obstruction (SAO) is common in general populations. It has been associated with respiratory symptoms, cardiometabolic diseases, and progression to COPD over time. Whether SAO predicts mortality is largely unknown.
Research Question
Is spirometry-defined SAO associated with increased mortality?
Methods
Spirometry parameters used to define small airways obstruction in population-based studies: systematic review
Background
The assessment of small airways obstruction (SAO) using spirometry is practiced in population-based studies. However, it is not clear what are the most used parameters and cut-offs to define abnormal results.
Methods
