Relationships of Lower Lung Fibrosis, Pleural Disease, and Lung Mass with Occupational, Household, Neighborhood, and Slate Roof-Dense Area Residential Asbestos Exposure

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between various asbestos exposure routes and asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). The study population comprised 11,186 residents of a metropolitan city who lived near asbestos factories, shipyards, or in slate roof-dense areas. ARDs were determined from chest X-rays indicating lower lung fibrosis (LFF), pleural disease (PD), and lung masses (LMs). Of the subjects, 11.2%, 10.4%, 67.2% and 8.3% were exposed to asbestos via occupational, household, neighborhood, and slate roof routes, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of PD from household exposure (i.e., living with asbestos-producing workers) was 1.9 (95% confidence interval: 0.9–4.2), and those of LLF and PD from neighborhood exposure, or residing near asbestos factories) for <19 or >20 years, or near a mine, were 4.1 (2.8–5.8) and 4.8 (3.4–6.7), 8.3 (5.5–12.3) and 8.0 (5.5–11.6), and 4.8 (2.7–8.5) and 9.0 (5.6–14.4), respectively. The ORs of LLF, PD, and LM among those residing in slate-dense areas were 5.5 (3.3–9.0), 8.8 (5.6–13.8), and 20.5 (10.4–40.4), respectively. Substantial proportions of citizens residing in industrialized cities have potentially been exposed to asbestos, and various exposure routes are associated with the development of ARDs. Given the limitations of this study, including potential confounders such as socioeconomic status, further research is needed.

Asbestos Exposure Level and the Carcinogenic Risk Due to Corrugated Asbestos-Cement Slate Roofs in Korea

“…A few studies have reported the effects of exposure to residential asbestos-cement slate roofs on health. In a previous study using the same data as this study, the odds ratio (OR) value of lower lung fibrosis was 5.5 (3.3~9.0), pleural disease was 8.8 (5.6~13.8), lung mass was 20.5 (10.4~40.4) in residents of asbestos-cement slate roof houses and living in asbestos-cement slate dense areas [ 16 ].…”

“…The results derived from the pooled analysis were combined with the data from a health impact survey conducted from 2009 to 2016 at the Environmental Health Center for Asbestos (EHCA) of the Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, South Korea, and a carcinogenic risk assessment was performed [ 16 ]. Out of a total of 11,191 subjects, 1228 people were classified into an asbestos-cement slate exposed group.…”

Asbestos Exposure Results in Asbestosis and Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Similar to Other Causes of Pneumoconiosis

“…Even a high level of environmental exposure (living near asbestos mines or asbestos factories, families of asbestos workers, and others) can result in mild or early asbestosis (either grade 1 or 2 lesions or early UIP-type fibrosis) [50][51][52][53][54][55]. From these previous studies [50][51][52][53][54][55], it is not clear whether such a level of exposure causes grade 4 asbestosis or diffuse UIP-type fibrosis.…”

Public health risks from asbestos cement roofing

“…In 2018, Kang et al demonstrated an association between living in an area with a high density of asbestos roofing and lower lung fibrosis and pleural disease; however, this study was not controlled for potential confounders. 41 The studies on environmental health risks from proximity to ACR make no reference to the condition or disturbance of the ACM, and it is likely that the predominant exposure from ACR would have arisen from natural weathering.…”