A lung disease caused by inhaling bitumen dust or fumes, similar to silicosis or other occupational lung diseases.
Combines 'bitumen' with the medical suffix '-osis,' which comes from Greek and indicates a disease or abnormal condition. The suffix was popularized in medical terminology during the 19th century.
Workers who lay asphalt can develop bituminosis from years of breathing in bitumen fumes—it's why modern road crews use special equipment and ventilation to protect themselves!
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