December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4)
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Asbestos – lung impairment in absence of disease
A systematic review finds that occupational asbestos exposure causes restrictive as well as obstructive lung function impairment even when there is no sign of pleural fibrosis or disease. A meta-analysis covering data from nearly 10,000 workers finds statistically significant reductions in vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume (FEV) and FEV/VC, in both workers with and without radiological changes. Reduction in FEV and VC scores was greatest in those with asbestosis followed by those with pleural fibrosis.
Occupational Health at Work December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4) pp40