Occupational risks for pleural mesothelioma in Sweden, 1961-79

From national population-based registries linking cancer incidence from 1961 to 1979 with 1960 census data on industry and occupation for all employed individuals in Sweden, a systematic assessment was made of pleural mesothelioma occurrence according to occupational and industrial classifications. There were 318 cases of pleural mesothelioma recorded during the 19-year follow-up period among males employed in 1960, with significant variation by industrial and occupational categorizations. The observed number of pleural mesotheliomas for men employed in the sugar refining, cellulose, wood and pulp, shipbuilding, and railroad equipment manufacturing industries was more than three times the number expected. Occupations with at least twofold excess of mesotheliomas included the craftsman categories of plumbers, mechanics and repairmen, electricians, painters, tire makers, and stationary equipment operators. Our findings are consistent with available data relating mesothelioma to occupational asbestos exposure in other countries, although unexpected associations were found that deserve further epidemiologic study.