Longitudinal changes in lung function among asbestos-exposed workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bunn WB ; Davis CS ; Dayton CS ; Fossen DS ; Galvin JR ; Hunninghake GW ; Merchant, James A. ; Schwartz DA
• Description:
  The determinants of persistent or accelerated loss of lung function among workers exposed to asbestos (1332214) were examined. The 117 study subjects each had at least 1 year's work in a high exposure setting where there was direct contact with asbestos and a minimum of 20 years between the first exposure and entry into the study. The mean duration of exposure was 32 years and the mean interval from first exposure was 38 years. Baseline studies included an independent assessment of dyspnea, lung volumes, diffusing capacity of carbon-monoxide (DLco), a chest radiograph, a high resolution computed tomography scan (HRCT), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Observation of subjects averaged 2 years. An average 1.5% decrease in the TLC and a 2.5% decrease in the DLco were reported. There was a persistent decline in lung function during the observation period. About 25% of the subjects had Class-III or worse dyspnea. Lower values for TLC were significantly associated with moderate to severe dyspnea, asbestosis on the chest radiograph, interstitial changes in the HRCT scan, diffuse pleural thickening on the chest radiograph, pleural fibrosis on the HRCT scan, and an increased concentration of macrophages, eosinophils, fibronectin, and albumin in the BAL fluid. Cigarette smoking was not significantly related to TLC during the observation period. Lower values for DLco were significantly associated with moderate to severe dyspnea, cigarette smoking, specific interstitial changes on the HRTC scan, higher concentrations of all cells in the BAL fluid, and an increased concentration of protein in BAL fluid. The authors suggest that consideration be given to using these risk factors in identifying high risk patients who could be approached with innovative disease modifying drug regimens. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asbestos Epidemiology Inorganic Chemicals Lung Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Safety Smokers Tobacco Products

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• Keywords:
  Asbestos-fibers Cigarette-smoking Lung-irritants NIOSH-Grant Occupational-exposure Pulmonary-function-tests Pulmonary-system-disorders Risk-analysis
• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  150
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00224081
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994 Nov; 150(5):1243-1249
• Contact Point Address:
  Internal Medicine University of Iowa Pulmonary Disease Division Iowa City, IA 52242
• CAS Registry Number:
  Asbestos (CAS RN 1332-21-4)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• NORA Priority Area:
  Pulmonary System Disorders
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19900701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• End Date:
  19930630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1296b0ad21b519a3083f558feb3333eaa7c2c260b78cd22811dcb0c9ebd6080c8a6c8ca69e966c8806922b586c2f51ac4e348e914520b66445dfc02ffe744c7d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205036/cdc_205036_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 894.63 KB ]