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Poster Sessions
    Friday 19, November, 2004, 12:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR
Saturday 20, November, 2004, 09:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR
  Sunday 21, November, 2004, 09:30-12:30, No.3 CR

Poster Sessions

Mortality due to Malignant AND Non-Malignant Respiratory Diseases among Workers Compensated for Asbestosis
Urszula Wilczynska, Neonila Szeszenia-Dabrowska, Wieslaw Szymczak,
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to assess the risk of asbestos-related malignancies among persons with diagnosed asbestosis. The study covered a cohort composed of all Polish workers (907 men and 490 women) afflicted by asbestosis recognised in 1970-1997. The follow-up of the persons have been started since the date of diagnosis. In all, 421 deaths were registered and causes of death were retrieved for 93.3% of the decreased. A significantly increased mortality was observed both in the male (300 deaths, SMR=127) and female cohort (121 deaths, SMR=150). The elevated number of deaths were noted mainly due to: non-malignant respiratory diseases (men: 42 deaths, SMR=344; women: 20 deaths, SMR=789), lung cancer (men: 39 deaths, SMR=168; women: 13 deaths, SMR=621) and pleural mesothelioma (men: 3 deaths, SMR=2680; women: 3 deaths, SMR=7207). Taking into account a cumulative dose of fibers, it was found that a significantly increased mortality from lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma applied to persons exposed to a dose above 25f-y/ml. The results indicated that persons with asbestosis are at higher risk of developing malignant neoplasms, especially lung cancer and mesothelioma.