title: Pleural mesothelioma in relation to meteorological conditions and residential distance from an industrial source of asbestos.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few studies have focused on pleural mesothelioma and environmental exposure in individuals residing around an industrial source of asbestos. The aim of this study is to determine whether residential distance and wind conditions are related to the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study carried out in an area of Barcelona province (Catalonia, Spain), 24 environmental pleural mesothelioma cases were diagnosed between 2000 and 2009. We calculated the age-standardised incidence rate ratios of developing this disease in the population studied, taking into account the residential distance from the plant. For cases living within a 500-m radius of the plant, the geographical location in relation to the factory was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence rate of environmental pleural mesothelioma was higher in the population living within 500 m of the plant than in those living in a radius of 500-2000 m and much higher than those living at 2000-10 000 m. The highest incidence rate ratio for pleural mesothelioma (161.9) was found in the southeast quadrant of the 500-m area, coinciding with the predominant wind direction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residential distance from an industrial source of asbestos and local wind conditions have a considerable impact on the risk of developing environmental pleural mesothelioma.
authors.affiliation: EAP Canaletas, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tarrés
authors.forename: Constança
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albertí
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Martínez-Artés
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abós-Herràndiz
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosell-Murphy
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: García-Allas
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krier
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cantarell
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Canela-Soler
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orriols
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003252:Construction Materials; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001194:Asbestos