| The analysis of 335 cases of mesothelioma observed at the Ramazzini
Foundation and the Bologna Institute of Oncology has
shown: 1) a high percentage of correlation of these tumours with
asbestos exposure; 2) a large number of population categories
potentially exposed to asbestos fibres and therefore at risk of
developing mesothelioma; and 3) the high risk of mesothelioma
among people exposed in various circumstances to asbestos used in
railroads and sugar refinery plants.
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Med Lav 1997 Jul-Aug;88(4):316-20 |
| We reviewed the certificates of 39,650 deaths which occurred in the
period 1975-1988 in Leghorn and of 45,900 in La Spezia
(Italy) in the period 1958-1988. In total 262 cases have been
recorded as pleural mesothelioma. The main occupational
exposures occurred in the shipbuilding industry. Regarding
non-occupational exposures to asbestos, 13 cases of mesothelioma
were found in women who had washed the work clothes of their
relatives at home; we also found other domestic uses of
asbestos which were rarely or never discussed previously in the
literature: six cases might be explained by the installation of
fireproof or non-conductive materials in the domestic environment.
These exposures probably are more frequent than realized until now.
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Am J Ind Med 1992;21(4):577-85 |
| All cases of pleural malignant mesothelioma occurring in Tuscany were
collected, backdated to 1980 (to 1970 for the
provinces of Florence and Prato; to 1975 for the provinces of Pisa
and Siena), in order to evaluate the incidence of
occupational exposure to asbestos. The aim was to enhance primary
prevention in those workplaces still at risk nowadays. To
achieve information on the possible occupational, domestic or
environmental exposure, an interview was conducted using a
semi-structured questionnaire. An exposure classification was
produced to focus preventive intervention. This surveillance
system needs to be developed to contribute to epidemiological
research, especially on the effects of low level exposures, and to
primary prevention.
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Med Lav 1997 Jul-Aug;88(4):302-9 |
| One hundred and seventy malignant pleural mesotheliomas seen at
necropsy at the Institute of Pathological Anatomy of the
Trieste University during the period 1968-1987 were reviewed. The
series included 153 men and 17 women, aged between 33
and 92 years (median 70 years). Lifetime work histories were obtained
from the patients relatives by personal or telephone
interviews in 162 cases. A majority of the male subjects had been
employed in naval work, 99 people having worked in the
ship-building industry, 19 in the navy and merchant marine, and 7 in
docks. A variety of trades appeared in the remaining
histories. Work histories were indicative of occupational exposure to
asbestos in 150 cases. A further 5 patients with negative
or insufficient data showed asbestos bodies in routine lung sections
and 5 women had a history of domestic exposure. A
majority of the patients had had their first exposure before 1950.
The. |
| 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 (. |
