Table 1 Demographic characteristics of participants at first visit ^a

Participants, n (%)

567 (41.1)

811 (58.9)

Male, n (%)

270 (47.6)

749 (92.4)

FEV₁, litres ^a

2.9 (0.9)

2.7 (0.7)

FVC, litres ^a

3.7 (1.1)

3.6 (0.9)

Age, yr ^a

50.8 (12.5)

59.2 (7.7)

Height at baseline, cm ^a

168 (9.5)

171 (7.5)

Cumulative asbestos, f/ml-year ^a

6.9 (7.5)

24.5 (47.8)

Age at first asbestos exposure, yr ^a

13.9 (12.7)

24.8 (6.1)

Radiographic asbestosis, n (%)

8 (1.4)

143 (17.6)

Current-smokers, n (%)

114 (19.6)

182 (21.8)

Ex-smokers, n (%)

183 (31.5)

452 (54.2)

Never-smokers, n (%)

284 (48.9)

199 (23.9)

Plasma retinol, (μmol/L)^a

2.70 (0.70)

2.70 (0.69)

Plasma carotene, (μmol/L)^a

1.38 (1.57)

1.38 (1.52)

Plasma vitamin E, (μmol/L)^a

38.13 (13.85)

35.43 (11.40)