Hsiao T M, Ho C K, Su W P, Hwang J J, Tsai M S, Chau T T, Lu S N, Chang W Y
Department of Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi. 1993 Feb;9(2):74-9.
Occupational disease is often underestimated and only a few formal reports have been published in Taiwan. This study reports of a group of workers with asbestos-induced-disease, pleural plaque in Taiwan. Pleural plaque is a marker of exposure to asbestos. The disease was found in chest radiographs of five boiler room workers in a sugar refining factory. The chest radiographs of 248 current workers in that plant were reviewed, and none of them was found to have pleural plaques. The storage of asbestos and the long-time use of mixed asbestos cement for insulation of the inner wall of the stove and pipes were found in the factory. The authors believe that the pleural plaques might be resulted from occupational exposure to asbestos. It is suggested that the use of asbestos should be prohibited, step by step, and regular follow-up of the workers with an asbestos exposure history is required.
职业病在台湾地区常常被低估，仅有少数正式报告发表。本研究报告了台湾一群患有石棉诱发疾病——胸膜斑的工人。胸膜斑是接触石棉的一个标志。在一家制糖厂的五名锅炉房工人的胸部X光片中发现了这种疾病。对该厂248名在职员工的胸部X光片进行了复查，未发现他们中有任何人患有胸膜斑。在该厂发现了石棉的储存情况，以及长期使用混合石棉水泥对炉壁和管道进行隔热处理的情况。作者认为，胸膜斑可能是职业性接触石棉所致。建议逐步禁止使用石棉，并对有石棉接触史的工人进行定期随访。
