Many investigators have studied the relationship between asbestos exposure and death from chronic obstructive pul- monary disease (COPD). Twelve cases of leukemia are reported in people living in a particular census tract over a 5 year period. Is this number of cases abnormal if only 6.7 cases would be expected based on national cancer-incidence rates? Solution Correlation Between Asbestos and COPD COPD can be triggered by the inhalation of foreign fumes or substances. Often, these irritants are inhaled at the patient’s workplace. Because asbestos was widely used at many industrial jobsites, COPD patients may have inhaled these fibers among others that contributed to their condition. Asbestos has not been directly linked to COPD, but asbestos exposure may be one of the factors that contribute to the development of the condition. Lungs that have been weakened by COPD may be much more susceptible to additional lung damage caused by asbestos. Additionally, pre-existing cases of COPD may be exacerbated by asbestos exposure. Various scientific studies have reported a statistically significant incidence of COPD among those exposed to toxic materials such as asbestos and silica. A Swedish study of 316,729 male construction workers found the mortality rate from COPD was more than two and a half times higher in participants who had been exposed to airborne toxins, including asbestos, than in patients who had not been exposed to occupational dust. Exposure to inorganic dust even affected participants who had never smoked and were therefore at a considerably low risk of developing COPD. Diagnosing COPD COPD can be diagnosed by several tests. A spirometry is one of the simplest and only requires the patient to blow into a tube that measures lung capacity and how quickly the air is exhaled. This test may also be accompanied by an arterial blood gas analysis, which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a blood sample. Chest X-rays or CT scans and sputum samples are also occasionally used to screen for emphysema. Treating COPD COPD symptoms are typically treated through one or more of four options: Bronchodilators (inhalers), which contain medications that relax the muscles around airways Antibiotics to fight respiratory infections or steroids to reduce inflammation during flare-ups Oxygen therapy to increase the levels of oxygen in a patient’s blood Surgery to remove the damaged sections of the lungs (or a transplant in severe cases) Adjustments can be made to a patient’s home environment to make it easier to breathe. Patients should avoid cold or smoke-polluted air, and smokers are strongly urged to quit. Those with COPD may also benefit from joining a rehabilitation program or support group..

1. Many investigators have studied the relationship between asbestos exposure and death from
chronic obstructive pul- monary disease (COPD). Twelve cases of leukemia are reported in
people living in a particular census tract over a 5 year period. Is this number of cases abnormal if
only 6.7 cases would be expected based on national cancer-incidence rates?
Solution
Correlation Between Asbestos and COPD COPD can be triggered by the inhalation
of foreign fumes or substances. Often, these irritants are inhaled at the patient’s workplace.
Because asbestos was widely used at many industrial jobsites, COPD patients may have inhaled
these fibers among others that contributed to their condition. Asbestos has not been directly
linked to COPD, but asbestos exposure may be one of the factors that contribute to the
development of the condition. Lungs that have been weakened by COPD may be much more
susceptible to additional lung damage caused by asbestos. Additionally, pre-existing cases of
COPD may be exacerbated by asbestos exposure. Various scientific studies have reported a
statistically significant incidence of COPD among those exposed to toxic materials such as
asbestos and silica. A Swedish study of 316,729 male construction workers found the mortality
rate from COPD was more than two and a half times higher in participants who had been
exposed to airborne toxins, including asbestos, than in patients who had not been exposed to
occupational dust. Exposure to inorganic dust even affected participants who had never smoked
and were therefore at a considerably low risk of developing COPD. Diagnosing COPD COPD
can be diagnosed by several tests. A spirometry is one of the simplest and only requires the
patient to blow into a tube that measures lung capacity and how quickly the air is exhaled. This
test may also be accompanied by an arterial blood gas analysis, which measures oxygen and
carbon dioxide levels in a blood sample. Chest X-rays or CT scans and sputum samples are also
occasionally used to screen for emphysema. Treating COPD COPD symptoms are typically
treated through one or more of four options: Bronchodilators (inhalers), which contain
medications that relax the muscles around airways Antibiotics to fight respiratory infections or
steroids to reduce inflammation during flare-ups Oxygen therapy to increase the levels of oxygen
in a patient’s blood Surgery to remove the damaged sections of the lungs (or a transplant in
severe cases) Adjustments can be made to a patient’s home environment to make it easier to
breathe. Patients should avoid cold or smoke-polluted air, and smokers are strongly urged to quit.
Those with COPD may also benefit from joining a rehabilitation program or support group.