Shipyard workers and their families exposed to asbestos dust and dangerous mesothelioma

A group of people who have been particularly affected by exposure to asbestos is shipyward workers and their families. Asbestos was so prevalent in ship building because of its fire retardant qualities and durability.During the construction of ships, workers often handle asbestos insulation products and consequently inhale large amounts of toxic dust. Unfortunately, many of these workers have died because of this asbestos exposure. One of the things we can all do is try to raise awareness about asbestos exposure and the link with lung cancer and mesothelioma. A good study is called, "Asbestos exposure. Factors associated with excess cancer and respiratory disease mortality" By VL Henderson and Enterline PE. Ann NY Acad. 1979 330:117-26. Here's an excerpt: "A cohort of 1,075 men who completed their careers with a company of asbestos, worked at a facility in the United States, and retired with a pension from the company during the period 1941-1967 was updated by the death through 1973. The average length of employment was 25 years, and all had been exposed to asbestos dust. respiratory cancer and fibrosis mortality pneumoconiosis-lung were examined in relation to dust exposure accumulated and other factors after taking into account cumulative dust exposure. The men working in the production of asbestos cement pipe showed an increased risk of cancer of the airways, like men with some crocidolite asbestos exposure. Due to these two groups overlap, we could not be certain that crocidolite asbestos was responsible for the increased risk. Men working in the overall plant maintenance displayed a striking lack of deaths due to pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, compared with production workers and maintenance staff assigned to specific departments. Five mesothelioma deaths were observed at 65 and more. Three of these deaths occurred during the period 1970-3 "Another good study worth watching is called" pleural disease related to asbestos and asbestosis: a comparison of CT and chest radiography "by AC Friedman, SB Fiel, MS Fisher, PD Radecki, AS Lev-Toaff, and and DF Caroline - Department of Diagnostic. Image of Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Here's an excerpt: "high-resolution CT (HRCT) has the ability to demonstrate both pleural disease related to asbestos and compatible with asbestosis parenchymal The role of CT in the diagnosis of asbestosis can be defined by comparison. with x-ray. 60 men who had a history of occupational exposure to asbestos and whose outside chest radiography are considered abnormal were evaluated. Chest radiographs (inside films) and HRCT were performed in all patients at our institution and were interpreted so independently by experienced radiologists. outer film results were compiled from reports submitted.'s final conclusion regarding the interpretation of radiological examinations was determined by consensus when there are disagreements. Positive predictive values ​​(the probability that a report positive is correct) for pleural disease were:. films beyond 56%, inside films 79%, HRCT 100% Positive predictive values ​​for parenchymal disease were: films outside of 51%, within films 83%, HRCT 100%. Adding HRCT of the chest radiograph is useful in eliminating false-positive diagnoses of pleural asbestos-related disease caused by grease and false positive diagnoses subpleural parenchymal asbestosis in patients with extensive plaques or emphysema obscuring detail. interpretation of chest radiographs in patients exposed to asbestos is often very difficult and subjective, and it is recommended that positive results (except calcified plaques) were confirmed with HRCT. "This article should not be construed as medical advice. Its purpose is to inform. If you found any of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety Art By:. Mont Wrobleski