[Functional and radiologic changes in workers in the asbestos-cement industry].

The influence of asbestos fibers on the radiologic and functional parameters in workers from the asbestos-cement factory was analyzed. 202 workers were examined each year for the last three years, while some of the workers were followed up to the last 10 years. It was found that the lung damage due to asbestos exposure is expressed highly individually. Some examinees had abnormal chest x-ray and normal lung function, some had abnormal function and normal x-ray, while only in advanced cases we found both radiologic and functional abnormalities. In addition to previously described lung function abnormalities, the authors found that some examinees had an increase in diffusing capacity in the early phase of asbestosis. The importance of dynamic lung functional measurements in workers exposed to asbestos is discussed.