SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “ASBESTOS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,729 records · Page 96Linked to original sources

PubMed1982

Occupational exposure to asbestos: population at risk and projected mortality--1980-2030.

Estimates have been made of the numbers of cancers that are projected to result from past exposures to asbestos in a number of occupations and industries. From 1940 through 1979, 27,500,000 individuals had potential asbestos exposure at work. Of these, 18,800,000 had exposure in excess of that equivalent to two months employment in primary manufacturing or as an insulator (greater than 2-3 f-yr/ml). 21,000,000 of the 27,500,000 and 14,100,000 of the 18,800,000 are estimated to have been alive on January 1, 1980. It is further estimated that approximately 8,200 asbestos-related cancer deaths are now occurring annually. This will rise to about 9,700 annually by the year 2000. Thereafter, the mortality rate from past exposure will decrease, but still remain substantial for another three decades.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Asbestos as a systemic carcinogen: the evidence from eleven cohorts.

Most known occupational carcinogens are site-specific, which implies that they are "complete" carcinogens with both "initiating" and "promoting" properties (Berenblum's terminology). Excess cancer at gastrointestinal sites among cohorts occupationally exposed to asbestos has been interpreted as reflecting additional site-specific effects, although excess at other sites has also been observed in some studies. The hypothesis that excess cancer at gastrointestinal sites cannot be distinguished from excess cancer at all nonpulmonary sites is tested by data from New York-New Jersey insulation workers working in 1943; similar workers employed after 1943; U.S.-Canadian insulation workers; London factory workers, male and female; Quebec miners and millers; retired U.S. factory workers; U.S. shipyard insulators; Italian shipyard workers in Genoa; Amosite factory workers; and U.S. factory workers. Excluding lung cancer and mesothelioma, observed-expected ratios for nonpulmonary cancer mortality range from 0.97 to 2.78, and do not differ significantly from gastrointestinal ratios. A dose-response gradient is observed for both ratios, when dose is estimated from lung cancer ratios, or in some studies, measured exposures. Site-specificity is unlikely for nonpulmonary cancer associated with asbestos exposure more than 20 years previously. Systemic carcinogenesis may be an example of promotion or impairment by asbestos of some cancer defense mechanism; immunological mechanisms have been suggested by Turner-Warwick and Parkes. Prospective studies are indicated.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Exposure to asbestos: psychological responses of mesothelioma patients.

Thirty-eight patients with a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma participated in a semi-structured interview to evaluate asbestos exposure, acquisition of increased risk information, and retrospective reporting of cognitive and behavioral reactions (particularly smoking behavior) to risk information. Twenty-eight patients (74%) had direct occupational contact with asbestos, and six patients (16%) reported indirect nonoccupational exposure to asbestos. Only two (10%) of the directly exposed patients acquired risk information from professional sources prior to diagnosis of mesothelioma. The most frequently reported reaction to learning of increased risk of cancer was a denial of the risk by minimizing personal exposure. Few patients reported being concerned about the information of increased risk. Smoking behavior did not change as a result of risk information, nor was there any increase in visits to physicians. Guidelines for psychosocial management of at-risk groups are recommended.

Asbestos↗

PubMed1985

Clinical features to stage alveolitis in asbestos workers.

To analyze the clinical features of asbestos-induced alveolitis and stage its activity, we evaluated 217 asbestos workers by the usual clinical, radiological, and functional parameters and computerized gallium 67(Ga) lung scan; we obtained bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 33 and lung biopsy in 6. In addition, we scored the profusion of lung rales and correlated it with other parameters of severity of asbestosis. In the 55 workers without asbestosis and normal 67Ga scan, BAL analyses were comparable to those of controls. Of the 56 without asbestosis but increased 67Ga lung uptake, BAL analyses in 8 documented a predominantly macrophagic alveolitis (confirmed on lung biopsy in 3), with the highest levels of BAL fibronectin. In the 106 workers with asbestosis, 67Ga lung uptake was increased in 75; BAL in 17 demonstrated a macrophagic and neutrophilic alveolitis with elevated fibronectin levels. Lung biopsy in 3 of the latter workers documented peribronchiolar fibrosing alveolitis. Rale scores in all workers or in those without asbestosis did not correlate with 67Ga scores; they correlated fairly well with profusion of parenchymal opacities (Rs = 0.42) and rigidity of the lung pressure-volume curve (Rs = 0.39). Thus, 67Ga lung uptake is an early indicator of chronic macrophagic alveolitis in asbestos workers, which usually progresses to asbestosis. In the disease, profusion of lung rales constitutes a simple clinical mode of assessment of disease severity that correlates better with radiological and functional parameters than with parameters of alveolitis.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and cancer incidence among production and maintenance workers in an electrochemical plant.

The incidence of cancer was studied in a cohort of 287 men who were exposed to asbestos at a nitric acid production plant from 1928 onwards. During the observation period from 1953 through 1980 all cancer cases among the cohort members were identified in The Cancer Registry. For the whole cohort 42 cases of cancer were observed versus 30.6 expected. The figures for cancer of the lungs and pleura combined were 17 observed versus 3.7 expected. The corresponding figures for a heavily exposed subcohort were 11 observed and 1.2 expected. In that group there was also an increased incidence of colon cancer with 3 cases observed against 0.8 cases expected. Within the whole cohort four cases of pleural and one case of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma were found. There was also an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin with 3 cases observed against 0.6 expected. For cancer cases that were registered as of unknown origin there were 7 cases observed and 1.4 expected. There was no increased rate ratio for cancer at any site before 20 years after the first asbestos exposure. The smoking habits of all cohort members were recorded and the relative rates for lung cancer were calculated in relation to smoking habits. In common with previous studies the results indicate a multiplicative model for the interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in regard to lung cancer risk.

Asbestos↗

PubMed1986

Clinical findings among asbestos workers in U.S.: influence of cigarette smoking.

All members of a large union were invited to participate in a study of potentially adverse effects of asbestos exposure. Clinical findings among 1,117 workers (90% of those eligible for examination) are presented in this study. Cough was much less common among those without a history of cigarette smoking, although duration from onset of employment did not appreciably affect the prevalence of cough among the smokers. Rhonchi present among nonsmokers were limited in extent, but were marked and diffuse among cigarette smokers. Although dyspnea was as prevalent among nonsmokers as in smokers forty years and more after onset of exposure, it was relatively uncommon and found only among smokers when examined shortly after onset of exposure. Cigarette smoking had less influence on the prevalence of râles among asbestos workers; both smokers and nonsmokers showed this finding when examined 30 years and more after onset of asbestos exposure. Analysis of powerhouse work experience and mask use as possible confounders indicated no difference in prevalence of these characteristics between the smokers and nonsmokers.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Smoking, morbidity, and pulmonary function in a group of ex-asbestos workers: a pilot study.

Thirty-three of 184 formerly exposed asbestos textile workers were interviewed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning smoking and asbestos. Twenty-three subjects in this group also underwent physical examination to determine smoking-symptom/sign-pulmonary function interrelationships. Approximately half of the exworkers smoked, and the majority who had stopped did so mostly because of illness rather than because of knowledge concerning smoking-asbestos hazards. All workers welcomed the offer of smoking cessation programs. Smokers and exsmokers, but not nonsmokers, were at risk for obstructive-type impairments, but all three groups contained subjects with impairments interpretable as restrictive. The presence of shortness of breath, cough, râles, or decreased breathing sounds alone or in any combination greatly increased the odds that either obstructive- or possible restrictive- or mixed-type impairments would be found on spirometry. Mass screening techniques required about one hour of person time per examinee to assess health status, provide educational material on smoking, and counsel workers on referral arrangements. The findings suggest that smoking alerts, smoking cessation clinics, and medical follow-up are needed, feasible, and acceptable in Israel.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Review of the Israeli Technical Committee for Asbestos.

The concern of the Israeli public regarding health hazards arising from asbestos use led to the formation of a governmental body responsible for finding solutions to these problems. This body was formed in 1983 as a National Medical Committee and included representatives from governmental and nongovernmental bodies. The Israeli Technical Committee for Asbestos, which serves as a subsidiary of the National Medical Committee, is concerned with the technical aspects associated with health hazards associated with asbestos and other harmful dusts. This report describes the major activities of the Technical Committee during the last 2 years.

Asbestos↗

PubMed1986

Dust levels in an asbestos-cement factory: problem solving.

Isasbest Ltd., an asbestos-cement factory in Israel, has established dust-preventive measures, maintained high ecological and medical standards, and assisted afflicted workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases. The problems of the handling of asbestos and its relationship to health should be approached according to the conditions in each specific workplace so that reasonable solutions can be found for proper control.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed1988

Immunological profile of chest x-ray-negative, asymptomatic asbestos workers.

Several immunologic parameters, both humoral and cellular, were studied in the serum and peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from chest x-ray-negative, asymptomatic asbestos workers. All humoral and cellular parameters were intact, except the con-A-induced T cell suppressor activity and T cell division in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction, which were significantly elevated in the asbestos plant workers. The significance of these increased T cell activities in asbestos exposed people is not clear, and further clinical and immunological follow-up is warranted.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

PubMed1989

Reactions of asbestos-exposed workers to notification and screening.

In the wake of efforts to pass legislation mandating notification of workers at high risk of developing occupational disease, considerable controversy exists regarding the potential costs and benefits of such notification efforts. It has been suggested that individual notification would cause undue psychological distress, especially when primary prevention efforts are no longer possible. In this study, we assessed reactions of asbestos-exposed workers to a letter notifying them of their risk for asbestos-related illnesses and the availability of a medical screening program. Two hundred forty-seven workers who attended the screening program and 53 who chose not to attend completed a questionnaire that tapped reactions to notification. Workers reported neither undue psychological distress nor avoidance behavior in response to notification, and many respondents reported engaging in active and appropriate coping behaviors. Workers who first learned of their risk through the notification letter (33.7%) were no more likely to report distress or denial than were workers who had learned previously through other sources. Individuals who chose not to attend the screening program were less likely than attenders to report experiencing distress upon learning of their risk status, more likely to engage in minimization of risk, and less likely to have taken direct action. Our results suggest that the psychological costs of notifying workers of increased risk for asbestos-related illness appear to be outweighed by the benefits of notification and screening.

Asbestos↗

PubMed1989

Mortality among employees of an Ontario factory that manufactured construction materials using chrysotile asbestos and coal tar pitch.

This paper describes mortality in a cohort of 324 men exposed to chrysotile asbestos and coal tar pitch used in the manufacture of electrical conduit pipe from a mixture of newsprint, bentonite, and asbestos. One death in a factory worker was attributed to pleural mesothelioma, and long-term employees experienced an increased risk of lung cancer (Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) 221; six deaths) and non-malignant respiratory disease (SMR 215; four deaths). In a case-control analysis, men whose jobs involved adding asbestos to the mix of raw materials were found to have a risk of lung cancer sevenfold higher (lower 95% confidence limit: 2.3) than men who had never worked at this job. Exposure to coal tar pitch is presumed to be responsible for the death of one worker from squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Analysis of mortality patterns and workers' compensation awards among asbestos insulation workers in Ontario.

Mortality and workers' compensation patterns were studied among 1,064 Ontario asbestos insulation workers. A proportional mortality analysis of 153 asbestos worker deaths found increased mortality from malignant diseases (65 deaths observed; 35.1 expected), cancers of the lungs and pleura (32 deaths observed; 11.5 expected), peritoneal mesothelioma (4 deaths), and respiratory diseases (14 deaths observed; 7.9 expected). Despite the publicity given to asbestos-associated diseases, dependents of many men potentially eligible for workers compensation awards have not received pensions because claims were not filed. These findings suggest that much occupationally related disease is not being recognized in Ontario.

Asbestos↗

PubMed1990

Study of asbestos bodies in Japanese urban patients.

To study whether low-level exposure to asbestos contributes to lung cancer risk, the asbestos body (AB) content in lung tissue was measured in 476 patients with lung cancer and 369 patients with other diseases, all from a Japanese industrialized city. Eleven patients with histologically confirmed asbestosis were included. The findings were stratified into four groups. A significant number of patients with lung cancer were seen in the groups with high counts, as compared to controls. There was no significant difference in histologic type and site of lung cancer among four groups. The patients with lung cancer in high count groups were significantly younger than those with lower counts. A significant number of smokers were seen in the groups with high AB counts among patients with lung cancer as compared to controls, even if the patients with asbestosis were excluded. These findings suggest that there may be a positive interaction of smoking and exposure to asbestos relative to the incidence of lung cancer even at a low exposure level.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1991

Fissural thickening and exposure to asbestos: occurrence, determinants, and functional impact.

The occurrence and determinants of thickened interlobar fissures were assessed in 147 insulators, in order to test the hypothesis that radiographic abnormalities in minor (FMN) and/or major (FMJ) interlobar fissures are associated with restrictive respiratory impairment, which may reflect early parenchymal lung fibrosis. According to the diagnostic criteria developed, definite interlobar thickening was found in 33 (FMN) and in 73 (FMJ) men, and was frequently associated with the presence of classical asbestos pleural disease, though not parenchymal abnormality. Multivariate analyses did not demonstrate any association between either FMN or FMJ and lung function. Such an association, however, was found in the case of the usual asbestos-related pleural change. These findings suggest that fissural thickening seen on chest radiography represents a component of asbestos pleural disease and not asbestosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Asbestos fiber analysis in 27 malignant mesothelioma cases.

The asbestos body counts per 5 gm wet lung tissue in 27 (23 pleural and 4 peritoneal) malignant mesothelioma cases derived from 19 autopsy and 8 surgical cases were, according to our own criteria, low level exposure in 13 cases (48.2%), moderate level exposure in 2 cases (7.4%), and high level exposure in 12 cases (44.4%). In our previous study on 235 consecutive autopsy cases, the low level exposure was considered to be environmental, the moderate level was secondary or blue collar, and the high level was occupational. In the present study, about half of the cases examined (44.4%, high level exposure) are closely related to some occupational asbestos exposure and the other half (48.2%) to environmental exposure. The type and size of asbestos fibers from the 12 cases of high level exposure were analyzed and the characteristics were compared with those of cases of low level exposure without lung cancer or mesothelioma. Most fibers analyzed (98%) were longer than 5 microns and thicker than 0.10 micron by our counting rules. In the control group, predominant fibers were tremolite or actinolite. In all the 11 pleural mesothelioma cases, the content of amosite fibers was significantly higher than in the controls. In one case of peritoneal mesothelioma, incipient asbestosis was found and the predominant fibers were crocidolite. It is suggested that the presence of amosite and crocidolite is linked to mesothelioma. The mean lengths of amosite and crocidolite, as detected by our resolution capabilities, were 36.0 and 20.9 microns, and the mean diameters were 0.51 and 0.27 micron, respectively. Both amosite and crocidolite fibers had high aspect ratios (94.2 and 115.4).

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Diffuse thickening superimposed on circumscribed pleural thickening related to asbestos exposure.

Circumscribed and diffuse pleural thickening (PT), the most common radiographic manifestations of asbestos-related disease, have different pathogeneses, differential diagnostic criteria, and effects on pulmonary function. The important distinction between the two disorders is demonstrated by six patients in whom typical circumscribed PT was followed by diffuse PT in the same hemithorax. The diffuse PT came on 18-47 (mean 32.3) years after first exposure to asbestos. In four patients, clinically evident pleural effusions preceded the diffuse PT; the latter left all with moderate to severe restrictive ventilatory impairment. Patients with stable pleural plaques are at risk for diffuse PT and consequent greater ventilatory impairment, even though they are many years from first exposure to asbestos.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Quantitative comparison of asbestos and talc bodies in an individual with mixed exposure.

Tissue from an individual with a history of exposure to asbestos and other dust was referred for particulate analysis. The digested material was reviewed by light microscopy to establish the numbers of ferruginous bodies per gram of tissue. Typical asbestos bodies were found at levels consistent with occupational exposure. A second type of elongated ferruginous body was formed on a thicker transparent core which suggested the minerals were sheet silicates. The number of ferruginous bodies with nonasbestos cores was over four times the number of asbestos cored ferruginous bodies. Electron microscopy was used to confirm the core composition of both populations and also to establish the levels of uncoated fibers. The nonasbestos ferruginous bodies were predominantly formed on talc.

Adenocarcinoma↗