Pulmonary function in long-term asbestos workers in China

The relationship of pulmonary function to exposure to asbestos and radiogra phic abnormalities has been controversial, especially when smoking is prese nt as a confounder. The aim of the study was to provide further understandi ng on the radiographic-physiologic associations in nonsmoking and smoking a sbestos workers. Radiographic asbestosis, pleural lesion, and pulmonary fun ction were studied in 269 Chinese asbestos workers, with average exposure y ears of 23 for male workers and 18 for female workers. Their functional dat a were compared with those of 274 controls without exposure to dust. Althou gh most of the male workers were smokers, none of the female workers smoked . In comparison with controls, asbestos workers had significantly lower lun g volume and diffusing capacity, irrespective of gender. Female workers and smoking male workers had lower measurements of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and instantaneous forced expiratory flow at 50% and 25% of forced vital capacity. After adjustment for relevant covariates, asbestos exposur e, asbestosis, and pleural abnormalities were associated with decreased par ameters of pulmonary function, including lung volume, diffusing capacity, a nd airway flow. These data indicate that asbestos-related functional defect s manifested by lung restriction and mild airway obstruction correlate with exposure to asbestos and with parenchymal and pleural abnormalities, indep endent of smoking.