Mortality among workers receiving compensation for asbestosis in Ontario

Mortality among 172 workers who received workmen's compensation for asbestosis in Ontario was investigated and the causes of death were compared with those for the general male population in that province. The workers were found to have increased rates of death, relative to the general populations, for nonmalignant respiratory diseases, lung cancer and pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. In comparison with the general population, the proportion of workers that survived was 69% of that expected 5 years after they were awarded compensation and 53% at 10 years.