石棉肺和石棉有关的胸膜改变最好的预测因素是吸入的石棉纤维总量。出现胸膜改变所需的蓄积量少于石棉肺所需的蓄积量。[1]American Thoracic Society. Diagnosis and initial management of nonmalignant diseases related to asbestos. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:691-715.http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200310-1436ST#.U7_nqvldVlwhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15355871?tool=bestpractice.com
石棉的职业暴露史通常可通过患者所从事的工作类型(在造船厂、施工、维护、车辆制动技工、石棉水泥、绝缘或者瓷砖、木瓦、制动或者纺织品制造)而鉴定;将工作服和靴子带回家的石棉接触工人的孩子或者配偶中也可以鉴定为有暴露。[1]American Thoracic Society. Diagnosis and initial management of nonmalignant diseases related to asbestos. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:691-715.http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200310-1436ST#.U7_nqvldVlwhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15355871?tool=bestpractice.com当前在美国和欧洲,暴露风险最大的是曾使用内含石棉的制品或者曾在内含石棉的物体周围工作的建筑和/或维护工人。[1]American Thoracic Society. Diagnosis and initial management of nonmalignant diseases related to asbestos. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170:691-715.http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200310-1436ST#.U7_nqvldVlwhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15355871?tool=bestpractice.com
某些特定的地区存在天然石棉,[12]Constantopoulos SH, Theodoracopoulos P, Dascalopoulos G, et al. Metsovo lung outside Metsovo. Endemic pleural calcifications in the ophiolite belts of Greece. Chest. 1991;99:1158-1161.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2019171?tool=bestpractice.com或者因为工业污染,因此居民会因为环境暴露而造成风险。[13]Peipins LA, Lewin M, Campolucci S, et al. Radiographic abnormalities and exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in the community of Libby Montana, USA. Environ Health Perspect. 2003;111:1753-1759.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14594627?tool=bestpractice.com