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Risk factors for malignant mesothelioma in people with no known exposure to asbestos

Bill Musk1,2, Len Gordon3, Helman Alfonso4

  • 1School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|March 1, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Unrecognized asbestos exposure may cause malignant mesothelioma (MM) in Western Australia. This study found a significantly increased risk of MM linked to likely, but previously unknown, occupational asbestos exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Environmental Epidemiology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare, fatal cancer primarily linked to asbestos exposure.
  • A subset of MM cases (5-10%) lack a clear history of asbestos exposure, suggesting other or unrecognized sources.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate potential unrecognized sources of asbestos exposure or other causative agents for malignant mesothelioma in Western Australia.
  • To identify risk factors for MM in individuals with no known asbestos exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Cases of MM with no known asbestos exposure were identified from the Western Australian Mesothelioma Register (WAMR).
  • Matched controls were selected from hospital patients with non-asbestos-related conditions.
  • Occupational histories were meticulously coded by an industrial hygienist and analyzed using conditional logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • The study included 38 MM participants and 134 controls.
  • A statistically significant increased risk of MM (OR=3.1, 95% CI 1.0-9.6) was observed in individuals with no known, but likely, occupational asbestos exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Widespread historical asbestos use in Western Australia means that unrecognized exposure is likely common.
  • The findings suggest that unrecognized occupational asbestos exposure may account for a substantial proportion of MM cases initially reported as having no known exposure.
Keywords:
asbestoscase-control studyexposure assessmentmesothelioma

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