Annual Report 2012 - Business.govt.nz

Asbestosis35%Percentage of Total Notifications30%25%20%15%10%5%0%Figure 7: Distribution of asbestosis notifications by occupationAsbestosis is a fibrotic or scarring disease of the lung tissue. The disease develops slowlyover many years from initial exposure. It can continue to develop after exposure toasbestos has ceased.The panel reviewed a total of 294 cases of asbestosis, of which:• 290 were Caucasian• 2 were Maori• 2 were from a Pacific Island• 278 were males, 16 were females• the mean age at diagnosis was 68 (range 37-86)• the mean number of years since first exposure was 43 (range 15-71)• the mean exposure index was 180 (range 10-720)• there were 22 current smokers, 210 ex-smokers and 57 never smokers (accuratesmoking histories were not available in 5 cases)• radiological changes showed 175 cases with pleural plaques and/or pleuralthickening.Asbestos and other Occupational Lung Diseases in New Zealand 2012 Annual Report Page 20