US EPA

3084612 

Journal Article 

Lung cancer and mesothelioma during prospective surveillance of 1249 asbestos insulation workers, 1963-1974 

Selikoff, IJ 

1976 

Yes 

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
ISSN: 0077-8923
EISSN: 1749-6632 

WILEY 

HOBOKEN 

271 

MAY28 

448-456 

English 

1069537 

10.1111/j.1749-6632.1976.tb23146.x 

WOS:A1976BV11700059 

Detection of mesothelioma and lung cancer in asbestos (1332214) insulation workers was investigated. A total of 1,249 asbestos workers were followed from 1963 to 1974; 370 were survivors of a cohort established in 1943. Serial chest X-rays were advised at 6 month intervals for workers with more than 20 years of exposure, yearly for those with 15 to 19 years of exposure, and 1 to 2 years for those with less than 15 years of exposure. Two films of the posteroanterior projection and one each of the two oblique projections were taken. Physical examinations were supplemented by careful occupational, clinical, and smoking histories. Urine, hematocrit, and serum for rheumatoid factor were examined. Pulmonary function studies were performed. A total of 198 of the 370 survivors of the original 1943 cohort died. Altogether, 59 instances of bronchogenic carcinoma occurred among the 1,249 workers. Forty nine cases occurred among the 370 survivors. Of the 59 cases, all but 2 died. Twenty eight instances of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma occurred in the 1943 cohort, and three more cases were found in the latter cohort. The author concludes that prospective surveillance with the likelihood of earlier diagnosis fails to appreciably improve prognosis for asbestosis. 

Asbestos; 1332-21-4; Index Medicus; Cocarcinogenesis; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Middle Aged; Smoking -- complications; Peritoneal Neoplasms -- chemically induced; Pleural Neoplasms -- chemically induced; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic -- chemically induced; Mesothelioma -- chemically induced; Lung Neoplasms -- chemically induced; Occupational Diseases -- chemically induced