Effects of smoking on asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural changes

Abstract

A radiologic study was made on 184 male asbestos workers in order to determine the effects of smoking on asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural changes. The effects of smoking on the prevalence of pleural changes could not be demonstrated, but the prevalence of pulmonary changes significantly increased with length of smoking history (p<0.01). It was found that smoking elevated the prevalence of asbestos-related pulmonary changes. These findings are of great importance in the health management of asbestos workers. © 1987, Japan Society for Occupational Health. All rights reserved.