Abstract
As a rule, asbestosis is a disease of workers who are occupationally exposed to inhalation of asbestos dust, leaving permanent alterations on the lung parenchyma or pleura. In our ten-year study, we investigated 318 workers with pleural asbestosis from whom we took medical history which included occupational exposure to asbestos, radiological examinations and lung function, which is mandatory for the diagnosis and the follow up of the disease. We analysed functional parameters such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and intermediate forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% (FEF25%-75%). In addition, we investigated the predicted values of functional parameters according to smoking and non-smoking habits. We found a significant reduction in vital capacity, particularly in smokers after 25 years of exposure to asbestos. During the first 15 years, values of vital capacity on the group basis remained inside the 80% of the normal values and were not significant for assessing the dynamics of the lung function. To better assess the effects of occupational asbestos exposure, it is necessary to interpret lung function data not only on the group basis, but also for each subject individually.
Highlights
As a rule, asbestosis is a disease of workers who are occupationally exposed to inhalation of asbestos dust, leaving permanent alterations on the lung parenchyma or pleura
Average exposure to asbestos dust in subjects who worked in the factory Salonit was 20 years, in Plobest 21.3 years, and in the BIS shipyard 17.8 years
Pleural asbestosis was diagnosed based on the analysis of occupational asbestos exposure history and radiological examination of the thoracic organs
Summary
Asbestosis is a disease of workers who are occupationally exposed to inhalation of asbestos dust, leaving permanent alterations on the lung parenchyma or pleura. In our ten-year study, we investigated 318 workers with pleural asbestosis from whom we took medical history which included occupational exposure to asbestos, radiological examinations and lung function, which is mandatory for the diagnosis and the follow up of the disease. Asbestosis is a chronic disease of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Asbestos is a silicate of fabric structure, chemically built of bound and free silicon dioxide, calcium, nitric, magnesium, iron and water In traces, it contains nickel, manganese, chromium and cobalt [1]. First accumulate inflamed cells that eject a range of mediators, causing inflammation which can affect pleura This induces fibroblast growth and an irreversible fibrosis of alveolar walls [7]. Every x-ray analysis is done separately by two radiologists, whose results are coded using the standard ILO classification
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
