Occupation and mesothelioma in young men: A preliminary report

The rising incidence of mesothelioma, resulting from the uncontrolled use of asbestos 20-60 years ago, is predicted to peak early in the next century. The importation of crocidolite was effectively banned in 1970, although large amounts of amosite were imported during the next decade. To investigate the work histories of those whose exposure started so far as possible after 1970, we studied 123 men born since 1943, reported to the SWORD surveillance scheme between 1990 and 1996 as cases of mesothelioma. Work histories were coded independently by the Office for National Statistics for comparison with expected distributions derived from census data, 1961 to 1981. Observed:expected ratios are presented below: Industry observed expected o/e Cement products 1.16 0.11 10.17 Construction - plumbers 9.92 0.98 10.08 Construction - carpenters 12.10 1.52 7.98 Shipbuilding 8.36 1.34 6.25 Construction - electricians 5.52 0.89 6.19 Construction - insulators 7.66 1.43 5.35 Asbestos & abrasives 1.75 0.59 2.99 Glass 1.13 0.47 2.39 Brick/non-refractory ceramics 1.02 0.45 2.28 All other industries: 66.58 107.22 0.62 Thus the distribution of high-risk jobs is similar to that in earlier studies, although the construction trades now account for a higher proportion of cases than in the past.