Mesothelioma mortality in Brazil, 1980-2003.
Although asbestos causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, it remains widely used in Brazil, mostly in cement-fiber products. We report the Brazilian mesothelioma mortality trend 1980-2003, using records of the national System of Mortality Information of DATASUS, including all deaths with IX International Disease Classification (ICD9) codes 163.n--pleura cancer during the period 1980-1995; and ICD10 codes c45.n--mesotheliomas and c38.4--pleura cancer for the years 1996-2003. Mesothelioma mortality rates increased over the period studied, from 0.56 to 1.01 deaths per 1,000,000 [corrected] habitants. The total number of mesothelioma deaths nationwide in the period studied was 2,414; the majority (1,415) were in the Southeast region. Mortality was highest among males and people over age 65. Given the history of asbestos exposure in Brazil, our findings support the need for policies that limit or ban the use of this product.
Pedra
Francisco
F
Center for the Study of Worker Health and Human Ecology, National School of Public Health, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. fpedra@ensp.fiocruz.br
Tambellini
Anamaria Testa
AT
Pereira
Basílio de Bragança
Bde B
da Costa
Ana Carolina Carioca
AC
de Castro
Hermano Albuquerque
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000401:mortality*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000503:physiopathology*