Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Geographic study of mortality due to mesothelioma in Peru and its evolution
J Smith Torres-Roman1, Virgilio Gomez-Rubio2, Lara Sanchez-Trujillo3
1Universidad Católica Los Ángeles de Chimbote, Instituto de Investigación, Chimbote, Peru; Maestria en Epidemiología y Bioestadistica, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima, Peru.
Background:
Peru has a public health problem because of asbestos imports. We analyzed the mortality trends for mesothelioma in Peru and its provinces from 2005 to 2014 and estimated their relationship with the amount of asbestos imported previously.
Methods:
We computed age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100,000 population (direct method and SEGI world standard population reference), and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). The relationship between the amount of asbestos imported annually along the period 1965-2010 and the number of mesothelioma deaths per year from 2005 to 2014 was estimated by log-linear Poisson regression models and Pearson correlation calculations.
Results:
After correcting the number of deaths, Peru registered 428 cases (or 430 when corrected cases are rounded by sex) between 2005 and 2014. The highest ASMRs were in Arequipa and Callao (range: 0.40-0.41/100,000 population), followed by Huancavelica (0.36/100,000 population). This translates into approximately one death per each 68-111 of asbestos tons imported. The latency period for the higher level of positive correlation found was 8 years (r = 0.8). Male female sex ratio was lower in provinces such as Junin and Hunacavelica with geological asbestos risk.
Conclusions:
Two patterns of mesothelioma risk have been detected, occupational and environmental. During the 2002-2006 years, Peru increased the asbestos use. If crocidolite imports were also increased, this could be behind the 8 years latency period detected. Peru should boost strategies towards the total ban of all forms of asbestos.
Insights
Peru faces a public health crisis due to asbestos imports, with mesothelioma deaths linked to past asbestos exposure. A ban on all asbestos forms is recommended to mitigate this growing risk.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Peru experiences a significant public health issue stemming from asbestos importation.
- Mesothelioma mortality trends in Peru and its provinces were analyzed from 2005 to 2014.
- The study investigated the correlation between past asbestos imports and mesothelioma mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mesothelioma mortality trends in Peru.
- To estimate the relationship between asbestos importation and mesothelioma deaths.
- To inform public health strategies regarding asbestos exposure.
Main Methods:
- Calculated age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs).
- Employed log-linear Poisson regression models and Pearson correlation to assess the link between asbestos imports (1965-2010) and mesothelioma deaths (2005-2014).
- Considered a latency period in the statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Peru recorded 428-430 mesothelioma cases between 2005 and 2014.
- Arequipa and Callao exhibited the highest ASMRs, with one death linked to every 68-111 tons of imported asbestos.
- A significant positive correlation between asbestos imports and mesothelioma deaths was observed with an 8-year latency period.
Conclusions:
- Mesothelioma risk in Peru presents both occupational and environmental patterns.
- Increased asbestos use, potentially including crocidolite, during 2002-2006 may explain the observed 8-year latency period.
- Peru urgently needs to implement strategies for a complete ban on all forms of asbestos.
