3. Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are particularly common following asbestos exposure and they are characterized by calcified build-ups on the pleura. This condition is not considered severe or life-threatening, but when it become extremely thick, patients may experience pain while breathing. The incidence of pleural plaques is one to 6.8% among men older than 30 in western countries. However, in populations exposed to asbestos, the incidence increases to five to about 50%, varying according to other factors such as duration or concentration of the exposure to asbestos.
