Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

Asbestos exposure and autoantibody titers: Eunsoo Lee, Youngki Kim, Se Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e32. Published online September 1, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e32

Background

Asbestos is a well-known hazardous substance that causes occupational and environmental diseases including asbestosis (lung fibrosis). Silica exposure which causes silicosis (another type of lung fibrosis) has long been linked to the development of autoimmune diseases; however, there are few studies on the relationship between asbestos exposure and autoimmune diseases.

Methods

A total of 54 individuals who had worked in a former asbestos textile factory underwent autoantibody-related blood tests, chest X-ray imaging, and pulmonary function tests. Based on the job exposure matrix (JEM), the estimated asbestos exposure concentrations were determined, and the presence of asbestosis was determined by chest radiography.

Results

Scleroderma (Scl-70) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies were significantly lowered in the pleural plaque present group than in the absent group. Additionally, Scl-70, RNP, and Sjögren's syndrome type B (SS-B) antibodies were significantly lowered in the asbestosis present group. When stratifying variables with or without asbestosis, Scl-70, Smith, SS-B, and RNP antibodies decreased in female, crocidolite handling group, and higher estimated asbestos exposure level group.

Conclusions

Contrary to our expectations that autoantibody titers would be higher in groups with high asbestos exposure or in the asbestosis group, those with asbestosis showed lower titers. But as our research has some methodological limitations, the lowered titer of autoimmune antibody in our asbestos exposed subjects could not be simply interpreted as a lowered risk of autoimmune diseases. So careful interpreting should be taken when examine autoantibodies to screening or diagnose autoimmune diseases in people with asbestos exposure. In addition, it is necessary to establish relevance of asbestosis and autoantibodies through further studies of larger scale and higher confidence levels.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Amphibole asbestos as an environmental trigger for systemic autoimmune diseases
Jean C. Pfau, Brett McLaurin, Brenda J. Buck, Frederick W. Miller
Autoimmunity Reviews.2024; 23(7-8): 103603. CrossRef

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Case Report

Ovarian cancer in a former asbestos textile factory worker: a case report: Sunwook Park, Jaechan Park, Eunsoo Lee, Huisu Eom, Mu Young Shin, Jungwon Kim, Dongmug Kang, Sanggil Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:65. Published online November 16, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0277-1

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Background

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) defined that asbestos is a group 1 substance that causes lung cancer, mesothelioma (pleura and peritoneum), laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer in humans. Many studies on lung cancer, and mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure have been conducted, but there was no case report of ovarian cancer due to asbestos exposure in Korea. We describe a case of ovarian cancer caused by asbestos exposure in a worker who worked at an asbestos textile factory for 3 years and 7 months in the late 1970s.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old woman visited the hospital because she had difficulty urinating. Ovarian cancer was suspected in radiologic examination, and exploratory laparotomy was performed. She was diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. The patient did not undergo postoperative chemotherapy and recovered. She joined the asbestos factory in March 1976 and engaged in asbestos textile twisting and spinning for 1 year, 2 years and 7 months respectively. In addition, she lived near the asbestos factory for more than 20 years. There was no other specificity or family history.

Conclusion

Considering the patient’s occupational and environmental history, it is estimated that she had been exposed to asbestos significantly, so we determined that ovarian cancer in the patient is highly correlated with the occupational exposure of asbestos and environmental exposure is a possible cause as well. Social devices are needed to prevent further exposure to asbestos. It is also necessary to recognize that ovarian cancer can occur in workers who have previously been exposed to asbestos, and the education and social compensation for those workers are needed.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Asbestos-Related Diseases and Its Impact on Health: An Updated Review Article
Wasey Ali Yadullahi Mir, Ayusha Poudel, Anurag Adhikari, Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, Yubraj Sedhai, Peter LaCamera, Andrew Moraco
Current Pulmonology Reports.2023; 12(4): 244. CrossRef
Primary Ovarian Mesothelioma: A Case Series with Electron Microscopy Examination and Review of the Literature
Luigi Vimercati, Domenica Cavone, Maria Celeste Delfino, Biagio Bruni, Luigi De Maria, Antonio Caputi, Stefania Sponselli, Roberta Rossi, Leonardo Resta, Francesco Fortarezza, Federica Pezzuto, Gabriella Serio
Cancers.2021; 13(9): 2278. CrossRef
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Yangwoo Kim, Inah Kim, Jung-Min Sung, Jaechul Song
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

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Case Report

Risk assessment of gastric cancer associated with asbestosis: a case report: Soo-Hong Park, Dong-Mug Kang, Bon-Hak Koo, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Eun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:9. Published online March 13, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0061-4

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Background

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies asbestos as belonging to Carcinogen Group 2A for gastric cancer. We herein report a case of gastric cancer associated with asbestosis and describe the work-related and risk assessments of asbestos exposure for gastric cancer.

Case presentation

The 66-year-old male patient in our case worked in asbestos spinning factories. His level of cumulated asbestos fiber exposure was estimated to be 38.0–71.0 f-yr/cc. Thus, the Excess Life Cancer Risk for lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure was 9,648×10⁻⁵, almost 9,600 times the value recommended by the United States of America Environmental Protection Agency (1 × 10⁻⁵). The relative risk of developing lung cancer for this patient was more than 25 f-yr/cc, a well-known criterion for doubling the risk of lung cancer.

Conclusion

The patient’s exposure to high-dose asbestos was sufficient to increase his risk of gastric cancer because as the risk of lung cancer increased, the risk of gastric cancer was due to increase as well. Therefore, occupational asbestos fiber exposure might be associated with gastric cancer in this case.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Asbestos-Related Diseases and Its Impact on Health: An Updated Review Article
Wasey Ali Yadullahi Mir, Ayusha Poudel, Anurag Adhikari, Dhan Bahadur Shrestha, Yubraj Sedhai, Peter LaCamera, Andrew Moraco
Current Pulmonology Reports.2023; 12(4): 244. CrossRef
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Arindam Mallick, Iris Visoly-Fisher
Materials Advances.2021; 2(19): 6125. CrossRef
Increased Risk of Gastric Cancer in Asbestos-Exposed Workers: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Taiwan Cancer Registry 1980–2015
Yi-Jen Fang, Hung-Yi Chuang, Chih-Hong Pan, Yu-Yin Chang, Yawen Cheng, Lukas Jyuhn-Hsiarn Lee, Jung-Der Wang
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(14): 7521. CrossRef
Recent Scientific Evidence Regarding Asbestos Use and Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Manuela Valenzuela, Margarita Giraldo, Sonia Gallo-Murcia, Juliana Pineda, Laura Santos, Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
Current Environmental Health Reports.2016; 3(4): 335. CrossRef

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Original Article

Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Asbestos Related Chest Radiograph Abnormalities of Former Asbestos Textile Factory Workers: Hyunsook Bae, Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Jongeun Kim, Yunseong Kim, Kun Il Kim, Kunhyung Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(4):331-344. Published online December 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.4.331

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asbestos-related chest radiograph abnormalities and abnormal pulmonary function tests among former asbestos textile factory workers and to reveal the related factors of these abnormal findings.
METHODS
There were 119 persons former asbestos textile industry workers registered in the health management pocketbook. Of 97 retired asbestos workers living in Busan, Yangsan and Gimhae, 63(64.9%) retired asbestos workers were enrolled into this study. The researchers administered questionnaires, and performed chest radiographys, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) on participants. The survey was conducted during July, 2009.
RESULTS
Among former workers the number of lung fibrosis, pleural plaque, pleural calcification, and pleural thickening was 13(20.6%), 6(9.5%), 3(4.8%), and 1(1.6%) in chest radiography, respectively. Asbestos-related disorders and abnormal pulmonary function test groups had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Participants with crocidolite exposure or long latency period had higher asbestos-related x-ray findings or abnormal PFT findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Former asbestos textile workers had a high rate of asbestos-related disorders. Workers with crocidolite exposure or having had a longer latency period had more asbestos-related disorders. Because gradual increase of asbestos related disorders among high asbestos exposure group is expected, sustained, and intensive management is needed for these former workers.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Asbestos exposure and autoantibody titers
Eunsoo Lee, Youngki Kim, Se Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Ovarian cancer in a former asbestos textile factory worker: a case report
Sunwook Park, Jaechan Park, Eunsoo Lee, Huisu Eom, Mu Young Shin, Jungwon Kim, Dongmug Kang, Sanggil Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities
Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Yong-Jin Lee, Hyun-Hee Lee, Chang-yeol Lee, Seong-Jae Moon, Min-Sung Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef

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Original Article

Prevalence of Asbestosis in Korean Asbestos Industry: Do myung Paek, Nam Won Paik, Jung Deun Choi, Mi A Son, Jung Gi Im, Won Jin Lee, Young Hahn Moon, Jung Sun Park, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):46-57. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.46

Abstract PDF

Asbestos industry has been in operation over 60 years in Korea. However, the prevalence of asbestosis has not been yet reported. With rapid turn-over of workers, previous cross-sectional studies of current workers on the job could not find cases with exposures long enough for the development of asbestosis. This study was done to evaluate asbestosis prevalence of those worksites with operation history of more than 20 years. In total, 139 workers from 5 worksites were examined. Asbestos industries covered in the study include 2 asbestos textile, 1 brake lining, and 2 ship repairing worksites. Chest x-ray was taken from all workers and read by two exports familiar with pneumoconiosis classification according to 1980 ILO guidelines. Those with findings compatible with asbestosis were further checked with high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). Pulmonary function tests were done according to ATS guidelines, and occupational and previous medical history was taken through a standardized interview. Air-borne asbestos was measured according to NI0SH method 7400. The air-borno asbestos concentrations ranged from 0.2-1.3 f/cc for asbestos textile, from 0.7~l.0 f/cc for brake lining, and from 6.3-7.8 f/cc during asbestos removal at ship repairing worksite. Of the 139 workers 25 had abnormal chest radiographic findings, and 10 of them had findings compatible with pneumoconiosis. When work history and current asbestos measurements were accounted, 9 workers who had more than 10 years of asbestos exposure history showed chest radiographic findings of pneumoconiosis with Finally, 4 workers showed finding of pulmonary fibrosis and/or pleural thickening at HRCT, and 2 of them had restrictive lung function changes. The study results showed that, among 139 sutjects, there were 4 (3%) definite asbeatosis cases confirmed with HRCT. The prevalence of probable asbestosis was 7% for 10-14 years of exposure, 13% for 15-19 years of exposure, and 23% for 20 or more years of exposure. The prevalence of compensable asbestosis with abnormal lung function was 4-6% for those with 15 or more years of exposure.

Citations

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Asbestos Problems Yet to Explode in Korea
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