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ASBESTOS DISEASE IN MAINTENANCE WORKERS OF THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY *
Author(s) -
Lilis Ruth,
Daum Susan,
Anderson Henry,
Sirota Marc,
Andrews Gay,
Selikoff Irving J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb18713.x
Subject(s) - mount , annals , environmental medicine , library science , engineering , medicine , management , geography , archaeology , mechanical engineering , pathology , public health , computer science , economics
In several large groups of workers employed in chemical plants, chest x-ray abnormalities (small irregular opacities and/or pleural changes) of the type known to be induced by asbestos were found in a proportion of those examined. A cross-sectional study of maintenance workers in a large chemical plant was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of asbestosis; 185 workers were examined. Radiologic evidence of parenchymal interstitial fibrosis was found in 24% of those examined; in 10% of workers, parenchymal fibrosis was the only abnormality. Pleural fibrosis and/or calcification was found in the absence of parenchymal fibrosis in 14% of cases; in another 14% of workers, both parenchymal and pleural abnormalities were detected. The prevalence was significantly higher in those employed 20 or more years. Pleural abnormalities were more prevalent than were parenchymal changes. The increased risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma remains to be studied.