Comparative quantitative evaluation of pleural fibrosis and its effects on pulmonary function in two large asbestos-exposed occupational groups-Insulators and sheet metal workers

Ruth Lilis, Arthur Miller, James Godbold, Steven Benkert, Xiaochu Wu, Irving J. Selikoff

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14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two large (N = 1584 and N = 1330) population groups of workers exposed to asbestos as insulators (I) or sheet metal workers (SM) were compared. Prevalence rates of radiographic changes including pleural fibrosis (circumscribed and diffuse) were found to be much higher in I than SM. An integrative index of pleural fibrosis (INDEX) showed similar distribution patterns in the two groups; the effect of INDEX on FVC% predicted was more marked in insulators. Factors that could contribute to this difference are thought to be the higher prevalence of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (probably including that which is not yet radiologically detectable) in I than in SM, the possibility of more extensive pleural fibrosis in areas not accessible to the standard chest X ray (and thus not affecting INDEX) and a higher proportion of diffuse pleural fibrosis in the I group.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-66
Number of pages18
JournalEnvironmental Research
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1992
Externally publishedYes

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