Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The investigation of the prevalence of pleural diseases in regards to those living within 1 km of 14 asbestos mines in Chungnam province.
METHODS
We enrolled 4,057 residents (male: 1,887, female: 2,170) living within 1km of asbestos mines in Chungcheong province. They received checkups from Soonchunhyang Environmental Health Center for asbestos related diseases between March 2009 and December 2009. Chest X-rays were taken from all subjects and read by two experts according to International Labor Organization guidelines. Those subjects suspected of asbestos related lesions were further checked with HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography). The determination was done by two experts after reviewing the resulting data.
RESULTS
The 4,057 exposed residents underwent the checkup, 859 of whom further underwent the HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography) check. The prevalence of pleural plaque was found to be 11.3% (29.2% non-occupational, 8.0% occupational) from the chest X-rays. The HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography) results revealed that 227 subjects (26.4%) out of the 859 positive subjects (110 (18.8%) non-occupational, 117 (42.9%) occupational) showed evidence of pleural plaque. The statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of pleural plaque increased with increases in age, residence time, and occupational family exposure to asbestos (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend better control of asbestos in the soil and mines. We also recommend that all affected residents living near asbestos mines receive medical checkups as mandated by the asbestos health damage relief policy.

• Keywords: Asbestos;Environmental exposure;Pleural plaque