Relation between radiological pleuropulmonary changes, clinical history and weight index of construction workers.

Abstract

4 (1978) 179-183. Photofluorography was performed on 1,542 male construction workers in the Stockholm area. Postero-anterior, lateral and two anterior oblique views were obtained. The pleural and pulmonary changes found were classif~ed into six groups. The results were correlated to the subjects' calculated weight index and to the occupational history of asbestos exposure and previous lung or pleural disease. There was a strong positive assoc1ation between a high weight index and changes interpreted as increased amount of extrapleural fat. There was also a positive association between irregular pLeural thickenings and adhesions located mainly around the base of the lung and a clinical history of pleural or pulmonary disease. The importance of taking other etiological :flactors than exposure to asbestos dust into consideration is emphasized when pleural changes are detected in apparently healthy people.

Railways and Asbestos in Japan (1928–1987)—Epidemiology of Pleural Plaques, Malignancies and Pneumoconioses—

“…The ILO Classification 2000 version defined the minimum width to be 3 mm or more, the same as the JNR modification. In addition, there are several plaque definitions by Scandinavian specialists 19,36,37,[41][42][43] , all of which defined only bilateral pleural thickening as pleural plaques, excluding unilateral ones. Therefore, to evaluate the frequencies of pleural plaques, studies should describe the criteria being used.…”

Does long-term concrete work cause silicosis?

“…In an earlier investigation of Swedish construction workers II % had pleural plaques (13), and an investigation with thoracoscopy showed that 67% of construction workers have pleural plaques when more than 30 years have elapsed since their first employment (14). In this investigation 24% of the individuals had pleural plaques or diffuse pleural thickening.…”