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Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Jan 1966
Topics: Abdominal Neoplasms; Asbestosis; Humans; Mesothelioma; Pleural Neoplasms
PubMed: 5902377
DOI: No ID Found -
Chest Jun 1993The English-language literature was reviewed to evaluate a possible relationship between asbestos-related pleural plaques and lung cancer in the absence of parenchymal... (Review)
Review
The English-language literature was reviewed to evaluate a possible relationship between asbestos-related pleural plaques and lung cancer in the absence of parenchymal asbestosis. There were six cohort studies in which the comparison group was limited to unexposed persons or the general population, four lung cancer case-control studies, and three autopsy studies. Of the 13 investigations, only 3 supported the hypothesis that lung cancer risk is elevated among persons with pleural plaques over the risk in unexposed people: 2 cohort studies from the same city in England with much the same data and 1 case-control study. These three studies had the most defects in design. The other ten studies failed to confirm the hypothesis. Thus, the weight of the evidence favors the conclusion that persons with asbestos-related pleural plaques do not have an increased risk of lung cancer in the absence of parenchymal asbestosis.
Topics: Asbestosis; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Pleura; Risk Factors
PubMed: 8404113
DOI: 10.1378/chest.103.6.1854 -
Chest May 1997
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Biopsy; Humans; Liability, Legal; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; Occupational Exposure; United States
PubMed: 9149605
DOI: 10.1378/chest.111.5.1427 -
JAMA Sep 1985
Topics: Asbestosis; Humans; Risk
PubMed: 4021004
DOI: 10.1001/jama.254.10.1307 -
American Journal of Industrial Medicine Jan 2000There are millions of workers whose exposure to asbestos dust prior to the implementation of asbestos regulation and improved control measures places them at risk of... (Review)
Review
There are millions of workers whose exposure to asbestos dust prior to the implementation of asbestos regulation and improved control measures places them at risk of asbestos-related disease today. In addition, workers are still being exposed to significant amounts of asbestos, when asbestos materials in place are disturbed during renovation, repair, or demolition. Given the continued presence of asbestos-containing materials in industrial, commercial, and residential settings throughout the U.S., a sizeable population remains at risk of asbestos-related disease. This article reviews the health effects associated with exposure to asbestos and delineates the steps necessary for the comprehensive screening and clinical assessment for asbestos-related disease, in order to assist physicians in identifying and preventing illness associated with exposure to asbestos among their patients.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Construction Materials; Diagnostic Imaging; Dust; Humans; Mass Screening; Mineral Fibers; Occupational Exposure; Physical Examination; Respiratory Function Tests; Risk Factors; United States
PubMed: 10573594
DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(200001)37:1<6::aid-ajim3>3.0.co;2-h -
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Aug 2004Asbestos has been recognised as a potential health hazard since the 1940s. Of the two major species of asbestos; white asbestos (chrysotile) and blue asbestos... (Review)
Review
Asbestos has been recognised as a potential health hazard since the 1940s. Of the two major species of asbestos; white asbestos (chrysotile) and blue asbestos (crocidolite), both of which are hazardous. The workers at extraction facilities are at the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos and, therefore, the development of asbestos-related diseases, commonly mesothelioma. However, other individuals at a high risk of exposure include asbestos-cement workers, insulation workers and ship-yard workers. Environmental exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of living in areas either characterised by natural outcrops of asbestos or asbestos-related materials, or those close to asbestos-producing or -using plants. Unfortunately, man-made fibre alternatives to asbestos, such as rock and slag-wool and glass wool, have also been shown to have a detrimental effect on human health. A characteristic of mesothelioma is that there is a long latency period (20-30 years) before the signs and symptoms of the disease become apparent. In addition, diagnosis of the disease can be difficult. The use of biological markers, such as tissue polypeptide antigen, may play a useful role in the early detection of the disease in individuals at risk.
Topics: Asbestos, Crocidolite; Asbestosis; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Manufactured Materials; Mesothelioma; Mineral Fibers; Occupational Exposure; Risk Factors; Time Factors
PubMed: 15261426
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2004.04.008 -
Minnesota Medicine Nov 2000Asbestos-related illness usually arises at least 10 to 20 years after initial exposure. In many instances, patients may be unaware of the source of exposure. Although...
Asbestos-related illness usually arises at least 10 to 20 years after initial exposure. In many instances, patients may be unaware of the source of exposure. Although community-based exposures are unusual, recent events indicate that both communities and workers may have had significant exposure to asbestos contained within vermiculite. Physicians should obtain a medical history as outlined above when examining workers or community members who believe they have been significantly exposed to vermiculite. In addition, pulmonary function testing and chest radiographs should be obtained. If these are normal and there is no ongoing exposure, it is likely that no further evaluation is required. Physicians should have a radiologist familiar with occupational lung diseases read films. Patients may ask that a "B" reader, a physician who is certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to read x-rays for changes related to the pneumoconioses, review their films. Facilitating smoking cessation and providing routine immunizations are important secondary preventive measures. Workers exposed to asbestos should receive ongoing screening as specified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Over the last several decades, numerous epidemiologic studies have evaluated the efficacy of lung cancer screening. Period chest radiographs and sputum cytology have not been shown to increase lung cancer survival rates. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential benefit of scanning in the early detection of lung cancer. Although encouraging, these studies do not yet support the use of imaging for the routine screening of high-risk populations as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Topics: Asbestosis; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Pleural Neoplasms; Prognosis
PubMed: 11126482
DOI: No ID Found -
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Feb 1989A case of clinically and radiologically typical asbestosis manifesting in a 55 year old man occurred 36 years after a brief exposure period of less than one year. A...
A case of clinically and radiologically typical asbestosis manifesting in a 55 year old man occurred 36 years after a brief exposure period of less than one year. A transbronchial lung biopsy was performed but the samples were considered non-diagnostic. The diagnosis was supported by the use of bronchoalveolar lavage to obtain alveolar samples and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x ray analysis of fibres found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid which showed a predominance of amosite.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestos, Amosite; Asbestosis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Time Factors
PubMed: 2538140
DOI: 10.1136/oem.46.2.106 -
American Journal of Industrial Medicine 1987A review of chest x-rays of 707 currently employed New York metropolitan area sheet metal workers found that 29.3% of the workers with 20 years or more of union...
A review of chest x-rays of 707 currently employed New York metropolitan area sheet metal workers found that 29.3% of the workers with 20 years or more of union membership (a surrogate for years of exposure) had radiologic abnormalities characteristic of parenchymal and/or pleural asbestosis, with 18.6% having abnormalities characteristic of parenchymal asbestosis (International Labor Organization [ILO] classification 1/0 or higher) and 17.4% of pleural asbestosis. The prevalence of abnormalities characteristic of either parenchymal and/or pleural asbestosis in the group as a whole was 16.4%, with 10.9% exhibiting signs of parenchymal asbestosis and 9.2% of pleural asbestosis. There was a strong, statistically significant relationship between years in the trade and the prevalence of radiologic abnormalities. These findings underscore the need for medical surveillance of all asbestos-exposed construction workers, including retirees and workers who have had past exposure but who are no longer exposed.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Asbestosis; Construction Materials; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography; Risk Factors
PubMed: 3687953
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.4700120512 -
Clinics in Chest Medicine May 1981
Review
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Occupational Diseases; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Pleural Diseases; Pleural Neoplasms
PubMed: 7030603
DOI: No ID Found