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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2008 | Original Article

Asbestos related diseases in Italy: an integrated approach to identify unexpected professional or environmental exposure risks at municipal level

Authors: Alessandro Marinaccio, Alberto Scarselli, Alessandra Binazzi, Pierluigi Altavista, Stefano Belli, Marina Mastrantonio, Roberto Pasetto, Raffaella Uccelli, Pietro Comba

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2008

Abstract

Purpose

Past intensive use of asbestos has implied severe public health consequences. Spatial distribution of deaths from malignant mesothelioma and of compensated cases for asbestos related diseases in Italy were compared to identify unexpected sources of asbestos exposure.

Methods

Mortality for malignant mesothelioma at municipal level and geographical clusters of compensated cases for asbestos related diseases, as proxy of industrial asbestos exposure, were identified in the period 1988–2001.

Results

Municipalities with at least four mesothelioma deaths and a statistically significant mortality excess were 148; and 53 out of them had no compensated case for asbestos-related diseases. Finally 22 of these lay outside of any aforementioned cluster, thus suggestive of a possible unrecognized exposure.

Conclusions

Availability long-term national figures and the different etiology of asbestos related diseases are the key features of this exercise that was applied to Italy, but can be replicated wherever registration systems of diseases related to long term exposure to asbestos are available.

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Title: Asbestos related diseases in Italy: an integrated approach to identify unexpected professional or environmental exposure risks at municipal level
Authors: Alessandro Marinaccio
Alberto Scarselli
Alessandra Binazzi
Pierluigi Altavista
Stefano Belli
Marina Mastrantonio
Roberto Pasetto
Raffaella Uccelli
Pietro Comba
Publication date: 01-08-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0293-x

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Springer Medicine

Asbestos related diseases in Italy: an integrated approach to identify unexpected professional or environmental exposure risks at municipal level

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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