抄録
Lung function tests were performed on 51 asbestos workers with no respiratory symptoms and no definite radiological signs. They were divided into 6 groups according to the length from the first exposure to asbestos dust and according to whether he or she was a smoker or non-smoker. %VC and FEV1.0% progressively reduced in relation to the duration of asbestos exposure. In asbestos workers who were exposed for more than 6 years, %V25 remarkably decreased to the abnormal values. V50/V25 also increased abnormally. There was no correlation between %DLCO/VA and the duration of asbestos exposure. In heavy smokers, however, %DLCO/VA significantly decreased.
Therefore, V25 and V50/V25 proved to be a very useful parameter in detecting early lung injury due to asbestos exposure.
