title: Asbestos-related pulmonary disease in boilermakers.
abstract: Boilermakers are skilled building tradesmen who construct, repair, and dismantle boilers. The present study reports on the evaluation of members of a Michigan boilermaker's union for the presence of signs and symptoms of chronic pulmonary disease. Study variables included standardized evaluations of chest x-ray findings, pulmonary function testing, physical examination, and respiratory symptoms. An overall participation rate of 69% was achieved. A non-participant survey identified no significant differences between participants and non-participants in dyspnea, cough, age, or smoking history. Among participants with greater than 20 years experience in the trade, the mean FVC was 91% of predicted; the FEV1 was 86% of predicted; 25% showed at least a 1/0 profusion of interstitial markings on chest x-ray; 30% had bilateral pleural abnormalities; and 52% had audible inspiratory rales on physical examination. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second both decreased with years in the trade. Chest x-ray findings of interstitial fibrosis and pleural plaques were related to ten or more years in the trade, as were respiratory symptoms of pulmonary rales, wheeze, and dyspnea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Neale
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Robins
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Herman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014896:Welding