Risk of cancer in women occupationally exposed to asbestos dust

In order to estimate the risk of death due to cancer in those occupationally exposed to asbestos dust, 1,190 women (workers of an asbestos producing plant) employed for at least 3 months during 1945-1973, were examined.

The cohort availability for 31 December 1981 was 89.6%. The risk was analyzed basing on the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) calculated by the man-years method. The reference group was that of the general population of women in Poland.

In the test cohort, 136 deaths occurred (SMR = 93.3), in this 46 were caused by malignant tumours (SMR = 162.0), 25 by malignant tumours of the digestive organs and peritoneum (SMR = 226.9), 13 by malignant tumours of the liver and pancreas (SMR = 360.9).

The mortality due to the above mentioned causes was significantly higher than that of the general population.

In the subcohort of women employed during 1945-1955 selected for the very high concentration of asbestos dust, 95 deaths occurred in this period (SMR = 111.1).

Significantly higher than in the reference population was mortality of: malignant tumours totally (32 deaths, SMR = 206.1), malignant tumours of the digestive organs and peritoneum (20 deaths. SMR = 311.0), and malignant tumours of the liver and pancreas (12 deaths, SMR = 541.5).