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Cigarette smoke, asbestos, and small irregular opacities

Journal Article · · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6403074

The long-term inhalation of cigarette smoke is associated with the appearance of diffuse small irregular opacities of mild profusion on chest roentogenograms of some subjects in a limited number of reports. Human histologic and experimental animal studies have shown the presence of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. The radiographic abnormalities may be explained by interstitial fibrosis, although bronchiolar wall thickening may also be involved. Because asbestos causes diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, the literature was reviewed for evidence concerning an interaction between cigarette smoke and asbestos in the frequency of pulmonary asbestosis. A majority of 14 prevalence studies and 7 cohort studies of asbestos workers with information on smoking habits have shown a positive interaction between the 2 agents. The interaction appears to be additive rather than synergistic. Smoking may exert an effect on the frequency of pulmonary asbestosis by increasing the effective fiber dose retained in the lungs through interference with clearance.

Research Organization:
Division of Occupational Medicine, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
OSTI ID:
6403074
Journal Information:
Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 130:2; ISSN ARRDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
ASBESTOS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
CLEARANCE
COLLOIDS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISPERSIONS
EXCRETION
FIBROSIS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNG CLEARANCE
LUNGS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PERSONNEL
RADIOLOGY
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SMOKES
SOLS
SYNERGISM
TOBACCO SMOKES