Occupational and Environmental Health Exam 2026 – Complete Practice Questions for Disease and Injury Prevention

Asbestos is a known occupational hazard that can cause damage to the lung tissue. When workers are consistently exposed to asbestos, they may develop a lung pattern known as irregular linear opacities. This refers to a scattered, web-like appearance on an X-ray, as a result of the damage caused by asbestos fibers. While other lung patterns may also be seen in asbestos exposure, such as honeycomb or mosaic patterns, the irregular linear opacities are the most common and specific finding. The presence of ground-glass opacity is also seen in asbestos exposure, but it is not the most common finding and may indicate a more severe lung injury.