Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (1984-1990): linear regression analysis for effect of asbestos exposure on pulmonary function testing

This study examined records from the Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program for 1984 through 1990 for Caucasian men (N = 129,598) using a population-based, cross-sectional, linear regression model. Continuous dependent variables were forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity (FVC), and continuous independent variables were age, height, weight, and tobacco use. A mid-period estimate of asbestos exposure was used because those values were reported as categorical variables. With asbestos exposure, forced expiratory volume in 1 s changed -3.2 cm3/year (t = -8.6, p = 0.000), and forced vital capacity changed -5.1 cm3/year (t = -11.8, p = 0.00). Those with more than 5 years of asbestos exposure demonstrated impairment over those with less exposure, and those with more than 15 years of exposure demonstrated even more impairment. These findings support the association of pulmonary function impairment with asbestos exposure for workers studied during this period.