title: Chest imaging and lung function impairment after long-term occupational exposure to low concentrations of chrysotile.
abstract: The aim of the present study was the investigation of radiographic findings in relation to lung function after occupational exposure to permissible levels of relatively pure chrysotile (0.5-3% amphiboles). We studied 266 out of the total 317 employees who have worked in an asbestos cement factory during the period 1968-2004 with chest x-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and lung function tests. Sensitivity of chest x-ray was 43% compared to HRCT. Abnormal HRCT findings were found in 75 subjects (67%) and were related to age, occupational exposure duration, and spirometric data. The presence of parenchymal or visceral pleural lesions (exclusively or as the predominant abnormality) was being accompanied by lower total lung capacity and diffusion capacity. HRCT was much more sensitive than chest x-ray for occupational chrysotile exposure. Lung function impairment was related with parenchymal but not with pleural HRCT abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Laboratory for the Investigation of Environmental Diseases, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dionisios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spyratos
authors.forename: Diamantis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chloros
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haidich
authors.forename: Loukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dagdilelis
authors.forename: Stamatia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markou
authors.forename: Lazaros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sichletidis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003252:Construction Materials; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013147:Spirometry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014109:Total Lung Capacity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine