Tremolite whitewashing and pleural calcifications

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Chest; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.92.4.709· OSTI ID:5850449

Constantopoulos, S H; Saratzis, N A; Kontogiannis, D; Karantanas, A; Goudevenos, J A; Katsiotis, P

Radiologic screening of 688 inhabitants of the Metsovo area in Northwest Greece revealed that 323 (46.9 percent) had pleural calcifications. The percentage of positive examinations rose with age. Calcifications were observed in all four villages of the area where a material (luto soil) had been extensively used for whitewashing until 1940 to 1950. In four other villages in the immediate vicinity, where luto had never been used, pleural calcifications were not observed. Results suggest that Metsovo tremolite may have caused pleural calcifications to all individuals born in Metsovo before 1940. This is the first study indicating that environmental asbestos exposure can cause abnormalities in everyone exposed to it.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Ioannina, Greece
• OSTI ID: 5850449
• Journal Information: Chest; (United States), Vol. 92:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LUNGS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
CALCINOSIS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
SILICA
TOXICITY
SILICIC ACID
AGE DEPENDENCE
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
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DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
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EASTERN EUROPE
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INORGANIC ACIDS
MEDICINE
MINERALS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIOLOGY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)
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