title: Incidence of pleural mesothelioma in a community exposed to fibres with fluoro-edenitic composition in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amphibolic fibres with fluoro-edenitic composition characterize Biancavilla soil, including the major quarry from which building materials have been extensively extracted. These fibres induce mesothelioma in experimental animals and their in vitro biological action is similar to that of crocidolite.
  
  
  METHODS
  Malignant mesothelioma case series and incidence were examined to evaluate the disease burden on Biancavilla inhabitants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla is steadily higher than in the Sicilian Region, risk estimates are more elevated in women than in men, the most affected age class is constituted by subjects aged less than 50.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Environmental exposure to fibres with fluoro-edenitic composition appears to be causally related to the elevated mesothelioma occurrence in Biancavilla. In this frame, environmental clean-up is the main goal to be pursued in public health terms. A contribution of scientific research to public health decision making with respect to priority setting for environmental clean-up can derive from some further selected epidemiological investigations.
authors: Dipartimento di Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. E-mail: caterina.bruno@iss.it.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Bruno
authors: Rosario
authors: R
authors: Tumino
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Fazzo
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Cascone
authors: Achille
authors: A
authors: Cernigliaro
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: De Santis
authors: Maria Concetta
authors: MC
authors: Giurdanella
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Nicita
authors: Patrizia Concetta
authors: PC
authors: Rollo
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Scondotto
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Spata
authors: Amerigo
authors: A
authors: Zona
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Comba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C492470:fluor-edenite