A historical cohort mortality study among shipyard workers in Genoa, Italy.
BACKGROUND
A historical cohort mortality study was conducted among 3984 shipyard workers assigned to ship repair, refitting, and construction in the harbor of Genoa, Italy, between 1960 and 1981. These workers were exposed to asbestos fibers, welding fumes and gases, silica dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and solvents.


METHODS
Workers were classified in 20 different job-titles depending upon the type of activity. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed using male residents of the Province of Genoa as the referent population.


CONCLUSIONS
For the whole cohort significantly increased SMRs were detected for all causes, all cancers, liver, larynx, lung, pleural and bladder cancers, respiratory tract diseases, and cirrhosis of the liver. The analysis by job-title showed increased SMRs not only for pleural cancer, but also for lung, laryngeal cancers and respiratory tract diseases in occupations entailing heavy asbestos exposure. Bladder and liver cancers and liver cirrhosis mortality also appeared to be related to occupational exposure.
Puntoni
R
R
Environmental Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Cancer Institute, Largo Rosanna Benzi 19, 16132 Genoa, Italy. puntonir@hp380.ist.unige.it
Merlo
F
F
Borsa
L
L
Reggiardo
G
G
Garrone
E
E
Ceppi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D012767:Ships; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality
D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D012822:Silicon Dioxide