| A spatial cluster of pleural mesothelioma cases was detected in
Broni, in the Province of Pavia (northwestern Italy). Eighteen
deaths due to malignant pleural neoplasms were observed in the years
1980-87 (SMR: 556; 95% confidence interval:
329-878) and the incidence of pleural mesothelioma in 1980-89 was 9.1
cases per 100,000 person-years among men and 4.3
cases among women. These findings are discussed with reference to the
presence in Broni of a plant manufacturing asbestos
cement products.
_____________________________________________________________ |
| Mr. Bichard finds it hard to contain his anger over his medical problems
and those of colleagues who are dead or are suffering from lung cancer,
brain tumours, or mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining. |
| Ralls statement that countervailing human data on the carcinogenic effects of
chrysotile asbestos (including large numbers of mesotheliomas among Canadians)
exist is reminiscent of a similar claim by Nicholson et al. (7) in which his
exaggerated numbers were correctly put into perspective by the epidemiologists
studying the Canadian workers (8). His unreferenced conclusion that
mesotheliomas are largely from chrysotile exposure in insulation workers and
family members who were exposed to low doses ignores the fact that these
individuals encountered mixed exposures to chrysotile and amphiboles at much
higher concentrations than levels of asbestos (predominantly chrysotile)
occurring in homes and public buildings today. Moreover, Rall does not
acknowledge the significant content of amphibole fibers in the lungs of these
workers (9) as well as recent studies showing a correlation between the lung
burden of tremolite, but not chrysotile, in the lungs of Canadian miners with
mesothelioma (. |
| Dr. Finkelstein also cited five cases of mesothelioma among former
Holmes workers. Three of the five workers died at less than fifty years
of age and all were less than sixty years old! |
| AIM AND BACKGROUND: To evaluate the characteristics of a case-series
of 79 malignant mesothelioma patients collected
from the main teaching hospital of Rome, Italy, and other local
clinics of Latium Region and to assess the role of asbestos
exposure, since previous studies on the occurrence of the disease in
this area were lacking. METHODS: The study included
cytohistologically diagnosed malignant mesothelioma (71 pleural, 7
peritoneal, and 1 testicular tunica lis) detected or
referred for consultation during the period 1980-1995. Information
regarding occupational and/or nonoccupational exposures
was derived from clinical records and interviews, when available.
RESULTS: Patients were resident in Rome and other towns
of Latium; a few were from other parts of central and southern Italy.
Exposure to asbestos was assessed for 45.5% of patients,
another 45.5% had unknown exposure, and for the remaining 9% such
info. |
