Pulmonary Function and CT Scan Imaging at Low-Level Occupational Exposureto Asbestos.

Autor:	Satta G; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Serra T; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Meloni F; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Lazzarato A; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Argiolas A; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Bosu E; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Coratza A; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Frau N; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Lai M; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Lecca LI; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Mascia N; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Pilia I; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Piras V; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Sferlazzo G; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Campagna M; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy., Cocco P; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health unit, University of Cagliari, Asse didattico-Blocco I SS 554, 09042 Monserrato, Italy.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	International journal of environmental research and public health [Int J Environ Res Public Health] 2019 Dec 19; Vol. 17 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Dec 19.
DOI:	10.3390/ijerph17010050
Abstrakt:	Background : In spite of the reduced exposure level, and its ban in numerous countries, compensation claims for asbestos-related diseases are far from decreasing. Methods : We used retrospective exposure assessment techniques to explore respiratory function and a computerized tomography (CT) scan in relation to past asbestos exposure in 115 male workers retired from an acrylic and polyester fiber plant. Based, on detailed information on exposure circumstances, we reconstructed a cumulative exposure estimate for each patient. Results : Time-weighted average exposure in our study population was 0.24 fibers/ml (95% confidence inteval (CI) 0.19-0.29), and the average cumulative exposure was 4.51 fibers/mL-years (95% CI 3.95-5.07). Exposure was elevated among maintenance workers, compared to other jobs ( p = 0.00001). Respiratory function parameters did not vary in relation to the exposure estimates, nor to CT scan results. Risk of interstitial fibrosis showed a significant upward trend (Wald test for trend = 2.62, p = 0.009) with cumulative exposure to asbestos; risk associated with 5.26 fibers/mL-years or more, was 8-fold (95% CI 1.18-54.5). Conclusions : Our results suggest that a CT scan can detect pleuro-parenchymal lung alterations at asbestos exposure levels lower than previously thought, in absence of respiratory impairment. Further studies are required to validate our techniques of retrospective assessment of asbestos exposure.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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