[Evaluation of the cancer risk among men exposed to occupational asbestos dust based on cohort studies]

The results of the study of a cohort of 2403 men occupationally exposed to chrysotile asbestos dust during the manufacture of various asbestos products have been reported. The study covered the period 1945-1985. Cohort availability was 91%. Risk estimates were based on SMR and SRR calculated by the man-year method. The general Polish male population served for the reference. The analysis was performed for sub-cohorts selected according to the period of employment in the plant, taking into account the dust dose and the age at the moment of the beginning of employment under exposed conditions. A significantly increased risk of pulmonary carcinoma (SMR: 238.0-211.0) and of gastric carcinoma (SMR: 197.9-238.5) was found in men exposed to high doses of the asbestos dust (above 50 mg/m3 x years). No statistically significant increases in the mortality rates either from cancer in general or from the cancer varieties specified above were detected in men exposed to low doses of dust. One case of death from pleural mesothelioma was reported.