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Asbestos‐related pulmonary disease in boilermakers
Author(s) -
Demers Raymond Y.,
Neale Anne Victoria,
Robins Thomas,
Herman Sandra C.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700170305
Subject(s) - medicine , pulmonary function testing , wheeze , vital capacity , interstitial lung disease , physical examination , respiratory disease , respiratory system , restrictive lung disease , physical therapy , cardiology , diffusing capacity , lung , lung function
Boilermakers are skilled building tradesmen who construct, repair, and dismantle boilers. The present study reports on the evaluation of members of a Michigan boilermaker's union for the presence of signs and symptoms of chronic pulmonary disease. Study variables included standardized evaluations of chest x‐ray findings, pulmonary function testing, physical examination, and respiratory symptoms. An overall participation rate of 69% was achieved. A non‐participant survey identified no significant differences between participants and non‐participants in dyspnea, cough, age, or smoking history. Among participants with greater than 20 years experience in the trade, the mean FVC was 91% of predicted; the FEV 1 was 86% of predicted; 25% showed at least a 1/0 profusion of interstitial markings on chest x‐ray; 30% had bilateral pleural abnormalities; and 52% had audible inspiratory rales on physical examination. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second both decreased with years in the trade. Chest x‐ray findings of interstitial fibrosis and pleural plaques were related to ten or more years in the trade, as were respiratory symptoms of pulmonary rales, wheeze, and dyspnea.