The Tyler Asbestos Workers Program. I. A medical surveillance model and method.

An asbestos-exposed worker who smokes cigarettes has a high risk of developing cancer of the lung. One thousand ninety-five former workers at a plant manufacturing asbestos (amosite) insulation products were exposed to high levels of asbestos dust concentrations in the atmosphere. The workers have been identified and located. A semi-annual medical surveillance program has been developed with National Cancer Institute support. Examination of the worker includes the following: history (questionnaire), physical examination, sputum cytopathology, chest roentgenogram, pulmonary function studies, and other tests. Emphasis has been placed on understanding the role of sputum cytopathology in a cancer control program in former asbestos workers.