Mortality in a Chinese chrysotile miner cohort

Background  

Few data were available to address cause-specific mortality in asbestos miners in China. This study observed a cohort of workers from the largest chrysotile asbestos mine to evaluate the association between asbestos exposure and cause-specific mortality.     

Environmental asbestos pollution — Situation in Poland

Objectives  

Environmental exposure of the general population to asbestos in Poland is mainly due to degradation of very popular asbestos-cement products and the resultant release of the elementary asbestos fibres into the ambient air. Assessments of environmental pollution by asbestos were based on the volume of the raw material used, amount of manufactured asbestos products, and measuring the concentration of fibres in the air.     

Retrospective exposure assessment to airborne asbestos among power industry workers

Background  

A method of individually assessing former exposure to asbestos fibres is a precondition of risk-differentiated health surveillance. The main aims of our study were to assess former levels of airborne asbestos exposure in the power industry in Germany and to propose a basic strategy for health surveillance and the early detection of asbestos related diseases.     

Cytotoxicity and solubility evaluation of two types of whiskers by cell magnetometry

Objectives  

We investigated two types of whiskers, an antimony-containing tin-oxide-coated aluminum borate whisker (CABW) and an aluminum borate whisker (ABW), which are asbestos substitutes, in order to evaluate the safety of these fibers.     

The Case for a Global Ban on Asbestos

Background

All forms of asbestos are now banned in 52 countries. Safer products have replaced many materials that once were made with it. Nonetheless, many countries still use, import, and export asbestos and asbestos-containing products, and in those that have banned other forms of asbestos, the so-called “controlled use” of chrysotile asbestos is often exempted from the ban. In fact, chrysotile has accounted for > 95% of all the asbestos used globally.

Objective

We examined and evaluated the literature used to support the exemption of chrysotile asbestos from the ban and how its exemption reflects the political and economic influence of the asbestos mining and manufacturing industry.

Discussion

All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are proven human carcinogens. All forms cause malignant mesothelioma and lung and laryngeal cancers, and may cause ovarian, gastrointestinal, and other cancers. No exposure to asbestos is without risk. Illnesses and deaths from asbestos exposure are entirely preventable.

Conclusions

All countries of the world have an obligation to their citizens to join in the international endeavor to ban the mining, manufacture, and use of all forms of asbestos. An international ban is urgently needed. There is no medical or scientific basis to exempt chrysotile from the worldwide ban of asbestos.     

Case report: peritoneal mesothelioma from asbestos in hairdryers

Background:

The relationship between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos is well established. As a result, the use of asbestos in buildings, construction sites, and mines, as well as the implications of disease for the workers has received considerable attention. However, asbestos was also used in household equipment and consumer products, including hairdryers.

Purpose:

To examine one case of peritoneal mesothelioma in a hairdresser and review the relevant literature on asbestos exposure from hairdryers.

Methods:

The subject’s medical and occupational records were obtained and reviewed and a physical examination was performed.

Results:

The results indicate that the subject developed peritoneal mesothelioma from her occupational exposure to asbestos containing hairdryers in accordance with the literature.

Conclusion:

Hairdryers are possible sources of asbestos exposure in patients with mesothelioma, and the asbestos exposure risk is higher for those who use hairdryers occupationally.     

National Use of Asbestos in Relation to Economic Development

Background

National disparities in asbestos use will likely lead to an unequal burden of asbestos diseases.

Objectives

As economic status may be linked to asbestos use, we assessed, globally, the relationship between indicators of national economic development and asbestos use.

Methods

For the 135 countries that have ever used asbestos, per capita asbestos use (kilograms per capita per year) was compared with per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 1990 Geary–Khamis dollars (GKD) for the period 1920–2003. Countries were grouped into three income levels (high, middle, and low) that were adapted from the 2003 World Bank categories.

Results

The historical pattern of asbestos use followed the environmental Kuznets curve in which use by high-income countries peaked when incomes attained 10,000–15,000 GKD and essentially ceased at income levels over 20,000 GKD. Currently, middle- and low-income countries are increasing their use of asbestos, closely following the paths once traced by higher income countries.

Conclusions

Developing countries have the opportunity to eliminate asbestos use sooner than high-income countries and thus reduce the future burden of asbestos diseases.     

Prospective study of asbestos-related diseases incidence cases in primary health care in an area of Barcelona province

Background  

Asbestos related diseases include a number of conditions due to inhalation of asbestos fibres at work, at home or in the environment, such as pleural mesothelioma, asbestosis and calcified pleural plaques. Few epidemiological studies have established the incidence of asbestos related diseases in our area. The present proposal is based on a retrospective study externally funded in 2005 that is currently taking place in the same area and largely carried out by the same research team.     

Estimating the incidence of lung cancer attributable to occupational exposure in Iran

Objective  

The aim of this study was to estimate the fraction of lung cancer incidence in Iran attributed to occupational exposures to the well-established lung cancer carcinogens, including silica, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, chromium, diesel fumes, beryllium, and asbestos.     

Mortality in a cohort of cement workers in a plant of Central Italy

Purpose  

Workers of cement production are exposed to alkaline dust with irritant effects on the respiratory system. Most previous studies have examined workers in cement/asbestos factories, but there is limited information of the effects of exposures to Portland cement alone. The present study examines the effects of cement dust in a cohort of Portland cement workers through the analyses of their mortality records.     

Occupational exposures to asbestos,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents,and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx: a quantitative literature review

Purpose  

The role of occupational risk factors in oral and pharyngeal cancer is not well known and is possibly underestimated. This quantitative review summarizes epidemiological findings on exposure to asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents, and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx.     

Vitamin C levels in blood are influenced by polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferases

Purpose  

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are intimately involved in combating oxidative stress and in detoxifying xenobiotics. Our objective was to examine possible interactions between polymorphisms in GST genes and plasma vitamin C, tocopherols and carotenoids in 149 reference subjects and 239 subjects occupationally exposed to mineral fibres (asbestos, rock wool, glass fibre), agents that induce oxidative stress.     

Osteopontin,asbestos exposure and pleural plaques: a cross-sectional study

Background  

Osteopontin (OPN) is a plasma protein/cytokine produced in excess in several malignancies. In a recent study OPN was reported as being related to the duration of asbestos exposure and presence of benign asbestos-related diseases; however, it was unclear whether this protein was an indicator of exposure or effect.     

Mesothelioma in Mongolia: case report

Background:

More than 80% of cases of mesothelioma worldwide have a history of asbestos exposure. In Mongolia, workers in coal burning thermal power plants (TPP) have widely utilized asbestos as an insulation material.

Methods:

We describe the case of a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with a malignant pleural mesothelioma. She worked in a TPP in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for 28 years.

Results:

A computer tomography (CT) scan showed a circumferential ring around her left lung, and tissues’ samples had a biphasic variant of mesothelioma with epithelioid and sarcomatoid components.

Discussion:

This is the first reported case of mesothelioma in Mongolia. We expect additional cases of mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos related diseases, will be identified in the future. In order to properly track asbestos related diseases in the country, we recommend the creation of an asbestos related disease registry.     

Recent Mortality from Pleural Mesothelioma,Historical Patterns of Asbestos Use,and Adoption of Bans: A Global Assessment

Background

In response to the health risks posed by asbestos exposure, some countries have imposed strict regulations and adopted bans, whereas other countries have intervened less and continue to use varying quantities of asbestos.

Objectives

This study was designed to assess, on a global scale, national experiences of recent mortality from pleural mesothelioma, historical trends in asbestos use, adoption of bans, and their possible interrelationships.

Methods

For 31 countries with available data, we analyzed recent pleural mesothelioma (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) mortality rates (MRs) using age-adjusted period MRs (deaths/million/year) from 1996 to 2005. We calculated annual percent changes (APCs) in age-adjusted MRs to characterize trends during the period. We characterized historical patterns of asbestos use by per capita asbestos use (kilograms per capita/year) and the status of national bans.

Results

Period MRs increased with statistical significance in five countries, with marginal significance in two countries, and were equivocal in 24 countries (five countries in Northern and Western Europe recorded negative APC values). Countries adopting asbestos bans reduced use rates about twice as fast as those not adopting bans. Turning points in use preceded bans. Change in asbestos use during 1970–1985 was a significant predictor of APC in mortality for pleural mesothelioma, with an adjusted R² value of 0.47 (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The observed disparities in global mesothelioma trends likely relate to country-to-country disparities in asbestos use trends.     

The psychological distress and care needs of mesothelioma patients and asbestos‐exposed subjects: A systematic review of published studies

Background

The purpose of this study is to present the results of a systematic review of published research that focuses on psychological aspects of malignant mesothelioma patients and asbestos‐exposed people.

Methods

Our research includes primary studies published between 1980 and 2016, using information from the Cochrane Library, the Psychology Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsychINFO, PubMed, PubGet, PubPsych, and Scopus, in compliance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

We identified 12 papers that investigated the psychological distress and care needs of mesothelioma patients, and nine papers for asbestos‐exposed subjects.

Conclusions

This paper highlights the paucity of studies on the psychological distress and care needs of mesothelioma patients and asbestos‐exposed subjects. It confirms that malignant mesothelioma is associated with the physical, emotional, and social functioning of patients, while also suggesting that the risk of developing asbestos‐related diseases among asbestos‐exposed subjects is associated with high levels of psychological distress, despair, and mental health difficulties.

     

Lung function in asbestos-exposed workers, a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

A continuing controversy exists about whether, asbestos exposure is associated with significant lung function impairments when major radiological abnormalities are lacking. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to assess whether asbestos exposure is related to impairment of lung function parameters independently of the radiological findings.

Methods

MEDLINE was searched from its inception up to April 2010. We included studies that assessed lung function parameters in asbestos exposed workers and stratified subjects according to radiological findings. Estimates of VC, FEV₁ and FEV1/VC with their dispersion measures were extracted and pooled.

Results

Our meta-analysis with data from 9,921 workers exposed to asbestos demonstrates a statistically significant reduction in VC, FEV₁ and FEV₁/VC, even in those workers without radiological changes. Less severe lung function impairments are detected if the diagnoses are based on (high resolution) computed tomography rather than the less sensitive X-ray images. The degree of lung function impairment was partly related to the proportion of smokers included in the studies.

Conclusions

Asbestos exposure is related to restrictive and obstructive lung function impairment. Even in the absence of radiological evidence of parenchymal or pleural diseases there is a trend for functional impairment.     

Asbestos in commercial cosmetic talcum powder as a cause of mesothelioma in women

Background:

Cosmetic talcum powder products have been used for decades. The inhalation of talc may cause lung fibrosis in the form of granulomatose nodules called talcosis. Exposure to talc has also been suggested as a causative factor in the development of ovarian carcinomas, gynecological tumors, and mesothelioma.

Purpose:

To investigate one historic brand of cosmetic talcum powder associated with mesothelioma in women.

Methods:

Transmission electron microscope (TEM) formvar-coated grids were prepared with concentrations of one brand of talcum powder directly, on filters, from air collections on filters in glovebox and simulated bathroom exposures and human fiber burden analyses. The grids were analyzed on an analytic TEM using energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) to determine asbestos fiber number and type.

Results:

This brand of talcum powder contained asbestos and the application of talcum powder released inhalable asbestos fibers. Lung and lymph node tissues removed at autopsy revealed pleural mesothelioma. Digestions of the tissues were found to contain anthophyllite and tremolite asbestos.

Discussion:

Through many applications of this particular brand of talcum powder, the deceased inhaled asbestos fibers, which then accumulated in her lungs and likely caused or contributed to her mesothelioma as well as other women with the same scenario.     

Global magnitude of reported and unreported mesothelioma

Background

Little is known about the global magnitude of mesothelioma. In particular, many developing countries, including some with extensive historical use of asbestos, do not report mesothelioma.

Objectives

We estimated the global magnitude of mesothelioma accounting for reported and unreported cases.

Methods

For all countries with available data on mesothelioma frequency and asbestos use (n = 56), we calculated the 15-year cumulative number of mesotheliomas during 1994–2008 from data available for fewer years and assessed its relationship with levels of cumulative asbestos use during 1920–1970. We used this relationship to predict the number of unreported mesotheliomas in countries for which no information on mesothelioma is available but which have recorded asbestos use (n = 33).

Results

Within the group of 56 countries with data on mesothelioma occurrence and asbestos use, the 15-year cumulative number of mesothelioma was approximately 174,300. There was a statistically significant positive linear relation between the log-transformed national cumulative mesothelioma numbers and the log-transformed cumulative asbestos use (adjusted R² = 0.83, p < 0.0001). Extrapolated to the group of 33 countries without reported mesothelioma, a total of approximately 38,900 (95% confidence interval, 36,700–41,100) mesothelioma cases were estimated to have occurred in the 15-year period (1994–2008).

Conclusions

We estimate conservatively that, globally, one mesothelioma case has been overlooked for every four to five reported cases. Because our estimation is based on asbestos use until 1970, the many countries that increased asbestos use since then should anticipate a higher disease burden in the immediate decades ahead.