Comprehensive date on asbestos insulation workers
The mortality experience of 17,800 asbestos insulation workers (the total membership of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC in the United States and Canada) has been observed prospectively from January 1, 1967 to December 31, 1986. A total of 4,951 deaths were seen, with each subjected to clinical, pathological, and demographic study.
Causes of death were ascertained in two ways: on the basis of the death certificate designation (DC) and after review of all available medical/pathological data (best evidence, BE). Observed deaths were then compared with those expected by cause, taking age, year, and sex into account, with expected deaths calculated from death rates of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics for white males, 1967 to 1986. The rationale for such an approach has been discussed (41).
To review the references in Dr. Selikoff’s article see Pages 275-276 of his report.
Courtesy of Environmental Health Perspectives
Asbestos data on the mortality rates of insulation workers