Risk factors for asbestosis in workers of asbestos mills

The analysis was based on a set of fifteen factors, characterising: the value of exposure to dust hazard, social status of the subjects involved, presence of diseases in the anamnesis, habits, etc., with the aim of establishing their effect on the possibility of developing asbestosis among the female workers of asbestos mills. Mathematical methods of pattern recognition were used for this multifactorial analysis. The decisive rule, obtained on the "training" principle, helped to differentiate the observations made in a reference group with the following accuracy: "without asbestosis": 87.5% correct answers, and "with asbestosis": 88.9% correct answers, which confirms the possibility of predicting the individual risk of developing asbestosis by analysing the set of risk factors. The use of the improved dermatoglyphic technique contributed to demonstrating the significance of the genotype in producing a predisposition towards asbestosis. The experience acquired demonstrates the possibility of medico-occupational selection for work involving asbestos exposure with simultaneous improvement of dust abatement measures at the factory.