Mesothelioma mortality among former asbestos-cement workers in Israel, 1953-90

Asbestos workers have long been recognized as a high risk group for the development of mesothelioma and other cancers. In this study we collated from a variety of sources 26 mesothelioma deaths that occurred between 1978 and 1990 among a cohort of some 4,441 former workers from an asbestos-cement plant in northern Israel. Since the expected number of deaths for this number of Israeli males in this age-group over this period is 0.12 cases, the risk of this disease was more than 223 times the national rate, age and sex adjusted [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 22,351, P < 0.001]. The mean years of exposure of persons who died from mesothelioma was 16.2 (SE 2.5). The mean latency period for mesothelioma cases from onset of exposure to death was 25.6 years (SE 1.3). Additional follow-up systems are needed to ensure complete reporting of asbestos-related diseases, including epidemiologic follow-up of asbestos-exposed workers after cessation of their work, with regular analysis of death and cancer registry data for high risk groups. Asbestos-related cancer is an important element in cancer epidemiology that requires further development in Israel. Studies of former workers, their families and of persons who worked or attended school adjacent to the asbestos-cement factory, as well as follow-up of other former worker groups exposed to asbestos are recommended.