PLEURAL PLAQUES IN A HEALTH SURVEY MATERIAL - FREQUENCY, DEVELOPMENT AND EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS

Abstract

All cases of pleural plaques discovered at mass X-ray screening in Uppsala County [Sweden] during 1970-1976 were collected. Case histories, including the history of exposure to asbestos and smoking habits, were taken. A total of 508 cases, 492 males and 16 females, were found. Smokers comprised 80%, which was more than expected, and 80% confirmed exposure to asbestos. The frequency of pleural plaques increased steadily with the years parallelling the increase in use of asbestos which had started 30 yr earlier. The pleural plaques showed gradual development and many finally calcified.