Peripheral Tumours Mesothelioma Disease Development and Asbestos Exposure

One interesting study is called, "Histological type of lung carcinoma in asbestos cement workers and matched controls." By L Johansson, M Albin, K Jakobsson, Z Mikoczy - Br J Ind Med 1992;49:626-630.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - Histological types of lung carcinoma were examined in a case series of workers exposed to asbestos cement dust (n = 29) and matched controls (n = 87). The proportion of adenocarcinomas was 31% among the exposed subjects and 15% among the controls (mid-p = 0.05). Among workers with high exposure the proportion of adenocarcinoma was even higher (45%, 5/11; mid-p = 0.03). The proportion of peripheral tumours tended to be higher among exposed cases than controls (24 v 12%, mid-p = 0.12). Lobe of origin did not differ, however, between exposed cases and controls. Thus the study indicates an association between the degree of exposure to asbestos and adenocarcinoma of the lung, and a peripheral rather than central localisation of the tumours, but with virtually the same distribution of lobe of origin as in the general population."

Another interesting study is called, "Occupational Characteristics of Cases with Asbestos-related Diseases in The Netherlands" by Alex Burdorf, Mohssine Dahhan and Paul Swuste - Oxford Journals Medicine The Annals of Occupational Hygiene Volume4 7, Issue 6 Pp. 485-492.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - Results: In total, 710 mesotheliomas and 86 asbestosis cases were available. The average latency period was ∼40 yr and the average duration of exposure was 22 yr. Ship building and maintenance contributed the largest number of cases (27%), followed by the construction industry (14%), the insulation industry (12%), and the navy and army, primarily related to ship building and maintenance (5%). In the insulation industry, the overall risk of mesothelioma was 5 out of 100 workers, and in the ship building industry, 1 out of 100 workers. The construction industry had an overall risk comparable with many other asbestos-using industries (7 per 10 000 workers), but due to its size claimed many mesothelioma cases. Conclusion: The majority of cases with asbestos-related diseases had experienced their first asbestos exposure prior to 1960. For cases with first asbestos exposure after 1960, a shift was observed from the primary asbestos industry towards asbestos-using industries, such as construction, petroleum refining, and train building and maintenance. Due to the long latency period, asbestos exposure from 1960 to 1980 will cause a considerable number of mesothelioma cases in the next two decades.

Journal AWWA, Vol. 66 Issue 9, September 1974, Page Range  513-514, 2 Pages - Kay, G.H.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract: The discovery of asbestos in drinking water in Ontario led to a study of the amount of asbestos actually present and its effects if any on those drinking the water. In August 1972 the collection of water samples began in 22 cities in Ontario. After testing the results were delivered to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. The results showed that there is asbestos in all surface waters of all inhabited areas of Ontario, and was probably there for some time but has just now been detected. The Ministry of Health has indicated that at the present time the levels of asbestos present is no danger to the public's health."

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these fine researchers for their important work.  If you found any of these excerpts helpful, please read the studies in their entirety.