FIG 1. (A) Asbestos bodies on histology. (B) Ferruginous bodies in iron stain. (C) Chest x-ray
showing pleural thickening, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. (D) CT chest showing increased
intralobular septa, subpleural curvilinear lines from asbestosis. (E) Number of deaths of US
residents aged 15 or older with asbestosis recorded as an underlying or contributing cause on
the death certificate, 1968-1999. The number of asbestosis deaths increased from 77 in 1968
to 1265 in 1999. During this period, asbestosis was listed each year as the underlying cause
in nearly a third of all asbestosis deaths. (F) Age-adjusted mortality rates for asbestosis in US
residents aged 15 or older by state (1990-1999). Delaware and West Virginia had the highest
asbestosis mortality rates during 1990-1999. States in the second highest mortality rate
category were predominantly coastal states. All states in these 2 groups had asbestosis
mortality rates above the US average rate of 5.4 per million. (Source: NIOSH 2002f). (G)
Proportionate mortality ratio (PMRs) and 95% confidence intervals for asbestosis in US residents
aged 15 or older by industry and occupation, adjusted for age, race, and sex, 1990-1999.
Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral and stone products and ship/boat building and repair had
the highest asbestosis PMRs among industries. For specific occupations, insulation workers and
boilermakers had the highest asbestosis PMRs. (Note: The figure presents the highest significant
PMRs based on 10 or more deaths.) (Source: NIOSH 2002f.) (Color version of figure is
available online.)
16 DM,