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Parenchymal and pleural fibrosis in construction workers
P Oksa1, H Koskinen, J P Rinne
1Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Construction workers show high asbestos exposure, with 26% exhibiting pleural plaques or lung fibrosis. This indicates a significantly higher prevalence of lung disease compared to the general population, likely due to asbestos dust.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Mineral dust exposure is a significant occupational hazard.
- Construction work involves diverse exposure risks, including asbestos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess mineral dust and asbestos exposure among construction workers.
- To determine the prevalence of lung abnormalities in this cohort.
- To compare lung disease rates with the general population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 437 construction workers was surveyed.
- Chest X-ray examinations were conducted.
- Questionnaires gathered data on occupational exposures.
Main Results:
- 81% of workers reported asbestos exposure across all occupational groups.
- 26% showed pleural plaques or lung fibrosis (ILO ≥ 1/1).
- Lung fibrosis prevalence was at least double that of the general Finnish male population.
Conclusions:
- Asbestos dust exposure is a likely etiological factor for observed lung abnormalities.
- Construction workers face a substantially elevated risk of asbestos-related lung disease.
- Public health interventions are needed to mitigate occupational exposures in construction.