Abstract
It is thought that bilateral pleural plaque is a specific sign indicating evidence of asbestos exposure. Using miniature films taken in mass radiography examination for inhabitants aged 50-69 years, a comparative study on prevalence of pleural plaque in Japan & Sweden was carried out. The films were read by a Japanese group, after an exchange-reading program of standard films for pleural plaque. The prevalence was the highest in T city of Japan where a shipbuilding is the principle industry; 10.8% for males and 1.1% for females. Furthermore, Y city of Japan where ship building industry is located showed higher prevalence of pleural plaque compared with the rural district of Japan; 7.7% for males and 0.5% for females in the former, 1.6% for males and 0.1% for females in the latter. It was 6.2% for males and 0.6% for females in U country of Sweden.
According to analysis of occupation in the U country, we found higher pre-valence of pleural plaque in the occupational group suspected of more exposure to asbestos.
