Published 24 August 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b3209
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b3209

Clinical Review

An overview of how asbestos exposure affects the lung

Graeme P Currie, consultant chest physician1, Stephen J Watt, consultant chest physician1, Nick A Maskell, consultant chest physician2

1 Chest Clinic C, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, 2 North Bristol Lung Centre, Southmead Hospital, University of Bristol, Bristol BS10 5NB

Correspondence to: G P Currie graeme.currie@nhs.net

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.


The risk of asbestos related lung disease is dose related and depends on fibre type
Joiners, plumbers, electricians, painters, shipyard workers, builders, engineers, and asbestos miners are at greatest risk
Asbestos exposure can cause benign disease (pleural plaques, pleural thickening, benign pleural effusions), malignant disease (mesothelioma, lung cancer), and interstitial lung disease (asbestosis)
Mesothelioma will peak in incidence between 2011 and 2015; it should be considered in all patients with a pleural effusion, chest pain, and history of asbestos exposure
Treatment options in asbestosis are limited
Some patients are entitled to compensation and should seek advice from the Department of Work and Pensions or dedicated charity organisations


People exposed to asbestos often develop lung disease in later life; manifestations include benign, malignant, or diffuse interstitial lung disease. This evidence based review covers who is considered to be at risk, different ways that exposure to asbestos affect the lung, and matters . . . [Full text of this article]


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Diffuse pleural thickening has new definition for claims
Jennifer L Hoyle and Jonathan K R Walker
BMJ 2009 339: b3953. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Hoyle, J. L, Walker, J. K R (2009). Diffuse pleural thickening has new definition for claims. BMJ 339: b3953-b3953 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Asbestos risks
Heikki Savolainen
bmj.com, 28 Aug 2009 [Full text]
Asbestos exposure in patients with Parkinson's disease
Sunku H Guptha
bmj.com, 3 Sep 2009 [Full text]
New definition of Diffuse Pleural Thickening for Industrial Injuries Benefits claims
Jennifer L Hoyle, et al.
bmj.com, 18 Sep 2009 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ