Sailors and the Risk of Asbestos-Related Cancer

Abstract

Sailors have long been known to experience high rates of injury, disease, and premature death. Many studies have shown asbestos-related diseases among shipyard workers, but few have examined the epidemiology of asbestos-related disease and death among asbestos-exposed sailors serving on ships at sea. Chrysotile and amphibole asbestos were used extensively in ship construction for insulation, joiner bulkhead systems, pipe coverings, boilers, machinery parts, bulkhead panels, and many other uses, and asbestos-containing ships are still in service. Sailors are at high risk of exposure to shipboard asbestos, because unlike shipyard workers and other occupationally exposed groups, sailors both work and live at their worksite, making asbestos standards and permissible exposure limits (PELs). based on an 8-hour workday inadequate to protect their health elevated risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers have been observed among sailors through epidemiologic studies. We review these studies here.

Modifiable risk factors and cancer mortality in transport, rescue, and security industries

“…In addition to tobacco, which causes 92% of all lung cancers in industrialized countries [25] , some occupational exposures may explain part of the elevated cancer mortality rates. For example, in land transport, seafaring, and defense forces diesel engine exhaust [ 26 , 27 ] and in seafaring also asbestos [28] may contribute to the elevated cancer risk. A recent systematic review showed, compared with non-drivers, an 18% increased risk of lung cancer among professional drivers who are potentially exposed to diesel exhaust, after adjustment for the confounding effect of smoking [27] .…”

Asbestos and Other Hazardous Fibrous Minerals: Potential Exposure Pathways and Associated Health Risks

“…However, the list of high-risk non-asbestos occupations is not-exhaustive as recent evidence highlights. A comprehensive review of published epidemiologic studies indicated that sailors are also at high risk of asbestos-related diseases and demonstrate elevated morbidity and mortality from mesothelioma and other ARDs [ 53 ].…”

Correction: Lemen, R.A.; Landrigan, P.J. Sailors and the Risk of Asbestos-Related Cancer. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 8417

“…There was an error in the original article [ 1 ]. The error concerned the unit of air when referring to the standard of 2 million asbestos fibers longer than 5 microns in length.…”