Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know the damage they can do to the lungs and airways. The main dust related diseases affecting construction workers are:
Lung cancer
Silicosis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (see also [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)](http://www.hse.gov.uk/copd/) )
Asthma (see also the [Asthma](http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/) site)
While some of lung disease like advanced silicosis can come on quite quickly, most take a long time. Often this is over years. They happen because during this time regularly breathing even small amounts of dust adds up and damages the lungs and airways. Unfortunately, by the time you notice the damage is often done and it is more difficult to treat.