Asbestos-Contaminated Nappies and Familial Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma in blood related subjects: Report of 11 clusters among 1954 Italy cases and review of the literature

“…II). Three clusters were related to exposure at home because of the recycling of asbestos-contaminated textiles [Li et al, 1989;Nalepa and Zielinski, 2001;Ascoli et al, 2003]; an asbestos hazard in the reprocessed textile industry has been pointed for sporadic mesothelioma [Quinn et al, 1987]. Two clusters were related to non-occupational exposure at home (Table III, Brescia Registry, cluster no.…”

“…Eight clusters involved only women [Li et al, 1978;Vianna and Polan, 1978;Munoz et al, 1988;Dawson et al, 1992;Ascoli et al, 1998;Bisconti et al, 2000;Musti et al, 2002;Bianchi et al, 2004;Serio et al, 2004]. All clusters included first-degree relatives and three of them involved also second-degree relatives [Li et al, 1989;Precerutti et al, 1990;Ascoli et al, 1998]. Only one cluster with heavy exposure involved the triple relationship mother, father and son [Otte et al, 1990].…”

“…Overall, the evidence of asbestos bodies and/or fibers in lung tissue and/or pleural plaques was reported in 32 clusters (Table III). Asbestosis was reported in cohabitants in four clusters [Li et al, 1978[Li et al, , 1989Orn et al, 1991;Schneider et al, 1995].…”

Tumours Linked to Para-Occupational Exposure to Airborne Asbestos

“…Other chil dren or adults suffering from pleural mesothelioma, where the asbestos-dust exposure originated from child hood, can be seen from table 1. There are also reports of frequent cases of asbestos-induced mesotheliomas within the family as a result of household contacts [85][86][87], There are reports from both Krousel et al [63] and Li et al [58,66] according to which both the wives and the daughters of men who worked with asbestos insulation materials died from mesotheliomas. The inhalative household contact occurred through cleaning the hus band's industrial clothing which was contaminated with asbestos dust.…”

Epidemiologic Aspects of Childhood Mesothelioma

“…On the one hand, the numerous opportunities for asbes tos exposure in childhood [1][2][3][4][5] and the known association between asbestos and me sothelioma in adults suggest the public health importance of examining the role of asbestos as an etiologic agent in childhood mesothelioma. On the other hand, the re ported cases of childhood mesothelioma have also been cited as evidence to suggest the existence of nonasbestos-related meso thelioma in adults [6],…”