Radiographic abnormalities among asbestos-cement workers. An exposure-response study

Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984 Jan;129(1):17-22. doi: 10.1164/arrd.1984.129.1.17.

Abstract

We studied the development of small irregular opacities and bilateral pleural thickening in a longitudinal study of 181 asbestos-cement workers. The relationships between the 32-yr risks of developing abnormalities and cumulative exposure to asbestos dust could be described with log-normal curves. Smokers had higher risks of both abnormalities than did nonsmokers. In this cohort, men leaving asbestos exposure had a risk of radiographic progression similar to men continuing in exposure, and men with abnormal radiographs had higher mortality rates than did men with normal ones.

MeSH terms

  • Asbestos / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases / etiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Probability
  • Radiography
  • Smoking
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Asbestos