Excess of mesotheliomas after exposure to chrysotile in Balangero, Italy

Mirabelli, Dario; Calisti, Roberto; Barone-Adesi, Francesco; Fornero, Elsa; Merletti, Franco; Magnani, Corrado

doi:10.1136/oem.2007.037689

Cited by 67 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…We therefore applied the average 2000-2011 regional incidence rates calculated among subjects aged ≥70 years, which were 4.1 and 3.7 (×100,000 person-years). A similar approach was used in a study of MM incidence near an asbestos mine in Balangero, Piedmont, northern Italy (Mirabelli et al, 2008). For the population with environmental exposure while living in Broni, we used as reference the overall non-exposed rates (1.0 and 0.8 × 100,000 person-years in men and women, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Italy, a study using a similar approach evaluated the effect of occupational and nonoccupational exposure related to an asbestos mine in Balangero (closed in 1985) among mine workers (including clerical workers and employees of sub-contractors) and their family members, residents in proximity to the mine, and in other occupational groups that used or reused material from the mine (Mirabelli et al, 2008). Using data from the Piedmont mesothelioma registry, the authors found a much higher number of pleural MM cases (14 among mine workers and 13 among other people) in 1990-2001 than previously reported in a cohort study of miners (two cases as of 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence: Global assessment of effects of occupational, familial, and environmental exposure

Mensi

Riboldi

Matteis

et al. 2015

Environment International

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Few studies have examined the incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) associated with distinct sources of asbestos exposure (occupational, familial, or environmental). We assessed the impact of asbestos exposure-global and by source-on the incidence of MM in Broni, an Italian town in which an asbestos cement factory once operated . Based on data collected by the Regional Mesothelioma Registry, we calculated the number of observed and expected MM cases among workers, their cohabitants, and people living in the area in 2000-2011. We identified 146 MM cases (12.57 expected), 138 pleural and eight peritoneal, attributable to exposure to asbestos from the factory. Thirty-six cases had past occupational exposure at the factory (0.64 expected), numbering 30 men (25 pleural, five peritoneal) and six women (four pleural, two peritoneal). In the families of the workers, there were 37 MM cases (3.03 expected), numbering five men (all pleural) and 32 women (31 pleural, one peritoneal). Among residents in Broni or the surrounding towns, there were 73 cases of pleural MM (8.90 expected), numbering 24 men and 49 women. The largest MM excess was found in the towns of Broni (47 observed, 3.02 expected) and Stradella (16 observed, 1.51 expected). This study documents the large impact of the asbestos cement factory, with about 133 excess MM cases. The largest MM burden was among women, from non-occupational exposure. Almost half of the MM cases were attributable to environmental exposure. Dear Editor of Environment International, we are submitting a manuscript on the impact of asbestos exposure, related to an asbestoscement factory, on mesothelioma incidence in a community in northern Italy. Differently from previous works, we were able (thanks to a mesothelioma registry operating in the region), to evaluate the global impact on workers, their family members, and the rest of the population. We found a large overall impact of asbestos exposure, with over 130 excess cases in 12 years. Moreover, the largest burden was in women, and environmental exposure accounted for half of the cases.Continuous documentation of the effects of asbestos exposure also outside the occupational context is important not only for local communities, but also to increase awareness of the health effects of asbestos in countries that still use it and in which the perception of the real entity of health effects attributable to asbestos is still poor.We assure that the manuscript is an original work, has not been previously published whole or in part, and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.None of the authors have any actual or potential competing financial interests regarding the submitted article.All authors have read the manuscript, agree the work is ready for submission to a journal, and accept responsibility for the manuscript's contents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence: Global assessment of effects of occupational, familial, and environmental exposure

Mensi

Riboldi

Matteis

et al. 2015

Environment International

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“…on the Wittenoom cohort studies seems to be compelling [81][82][83], although the number of deaths with mesothelioma in men in the period 1987 to 2008 remained similar to the lowest predictions (the number of Mt in the past 8 years was higher than predicted -74 vs. 63) [83], while genetic predisposition was discussed along with asbestos as an etiologic factor of Mt [84]. There is considerable evidence that the risk of Mt is enhanced after exposure to chrysotile without amphibole admixture [46,48,[72][73][74][75][76]85]. There has been also an alternate view [86,87] e.g.…”

Section: Page -02mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the author reply [71], the arguments from [67] have not been adequately responded, being dismissed by a declaration that the studies [68,69] "appear to support the concepts put forward by Bernstein et al" followed by self-references [71]. Other reports and reviews [43][44][45][46][47][48]51,56,58,63,[72][73][74][75], not supporting the authors' concept, are also not cited in the voluminous reviews [41,55]. Another example: Bernstein et al cite a rather nondescript phrase from the review "Mesothelioma from chrysotile asbestos" [55,76] that chrysotile is an "exclusive or overwhelming fiber exposure", disregarding the main conclusion: "Chrysotile asbestos, along with all other types of asbestos, has caused mesothelioma" [76].…”

Section: Page -02mentioning

confidence: 99%

Asbestos-Related Research: First Objectivity then Conclusions

2015

J Environ Stud

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“…These studies demonstrate that the so-called "controlled use" of asbestos is a fallacy [42]. Workers exposed to chrysotile fibers alone have excessive risks of lung cancer and excessive deaths from mesothelioma [43][44][45]. The Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Canada's leading health experts oppose the export of asbestos to the developing countries.…”

Section: Chrysotile Asbestosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asbestos is still with us: repeat call for a universal ban

Ramazzini¹

2010

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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All forms of asbestos are proven human carcinogens. All forms of asbestos cause malignant mesothelioma, lung, and laryngeal cancers, and may cause ovarian, gastrointestinal and other cancers. No exposure to asbestos is without risk, and there is no safe threshold of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos cancer victims die painful lingering deaths. These deaths are almost entirely preventable. When evidence of the carcinogenicity of asbestos became incontrovertible, the concerned parties, including the Collegium Ramazzini, called for a universal ban on the mining, manufacture and use of asbestos in all countries around the world [1]. Asbestos is now banned in 52 countries [2], and safer products have replaced many materials that once were made with asbestos. Nonetheless, a large number of countries still use, import, and export asbestos and asbestos-containing products. And in many countries that have banned other forms of asbestos, the so-called "controlled use" of chrysotile asbestos continues to be permitted, an exemption that has no basis in medical science but rather reflects the political and economic influence of the asbestos mining and manufacturing industry. To protect the health of all people in the world -industrial workers, construction workers, women and children, now and in future generations -the Collegium Ramazzini calls again today on all countries of the world, as we have repeatedly in the past, to join in the international endeavor to ban all forms of asbestos. An international ban on asbestos is urgently needed.

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Excess of mesotheliomas after exposure to chrysotile in Balangero, Italy

Abstract: The cluster of 14 mesothelioma cases among workers who were active in the mine and 13 among other people exposed to Balangero chrysotile provides further evidence that tremolite-free chrysotile is carcinogenic.

Cited by 67 publications

References 17 publications

Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence: Global assessment of effects of occupational, familial, and environmental exposure

Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence: Global assessment of effects of occupational, familial, and environmental exposure

Asbestos-Related Research: First Objectivity then Conclusions

Asbestos is still with us: repeat call for a universal ban

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