Diffusing capacity and forced vital capacity in 5,003 asbestos-exposed workers: relationships to interstitial fibrosis (ILO profusion score) and pleural thickening.

Background: Asbestosis is an interstitial lung disease whose radiographic severity has long been graded by the International Labour Office (ILO) profusion score. Its effect on pulmonary function is further impacted by asbestos related pleural thickening.

Objectives: This report aims to describe the relationships between radiographic grading of interstitial and pleural fibrosis and a key test of pulmonary function, the diffusing capacity, which measures gas exchange and has rarely been assessed in large groups, and to confirm the relationship to an independent test of pulmonary function, the vital capacity, which measures a mechanical property of the lungs.

Cluster of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with an oil field waste site: a cross sectional study.

Background: This is a community comparison study that examines persons living in a subdivision exposed to petroleum products and mercury.

Methods: We compared their health status and questionnaire responses to those living in another community with no known exposures of this type.

Results: Pristane house dust among the exposed homes was higher than in the comparison communities.

Residential and biological exposure assessment of chemicals from a wood treatment plant.

This paper evaluates the results of contamination of residents and residential homes located in close proximity to a Wood Treatment Plant. The plant has produced treated wood products continuously since 1904. The principle chemicals used to treat the wood, which is primarily used for railroad ties (oblong objects laid perpendicular to the rails to act as a base for the tracks), are creosote and pentachlorophenol.

Exposure assessment of residents living near a wood treatment plant.

We report the results of environmental sampling and modeling in a neighborhood adjacent to a wood processing plant. This plant used creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) to treat wood for over 70 years. Between 1999 and 2001, environmental samples were obtained to quantify the level of environmental contamination from the wood processing plant.

Health effects on nearby residents of a wood treatment plant.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the health status of nearby residents of a wood treatment plant who had sustained prolonged low-level environmental exposure to wood processing waste chemicals.

Methods: A population of 1269 exposed residents who were plaintiffs or potential plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the wood treatment plant were evaluated by questionnaire for a health history and symptoms. A representative sample of 214 exposed subjects was included in the analysis.