Annual Report 2012 - Business.govt.nz

Of the 294 asbestosis cases:• all had a significant exposure history, with a mean exposure index of 180 (range 10-720)• mean latency was 42 years, with a range of 15-71 years• most cases had an ILO rating 1/1 or greater where this rating was used, although thiscriterion is now seldom used• detailed clinical examination results were not always available from the records,thus the presence of crackles was not measurable• lung function changes are recorded in the register based on the availability of dataeither from respiratory laboratories, respiratory physicians, or occupational healthnurses• additional information from HRCT scanning has led to the recognition of some casesof asbestosis not covered by the Gilson criteria. As noted, HRCT diagnosis is now thenorm.Pleural abnormalitiesPleural abnormalities include pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening, chronic fibrosingpleuritis and pleural effusions. It does not include pleural disease occurring together withmesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis.30%Percentage of Total Notifications25%20%15%10%5%0%Figure 9: Distribution of pleural abnormality notifications by occupationAsbestos and other Occupational Lung Diseases in New Zealand 2012 Annual Report Page 22