OBJECTIVETo determine there was excessive risk of malignant tumors or not among workers exposure to chrysotile fiber alone by applying a meta-analysis technique.

METHODSAll data meeting the criteria of cohort studies on cancer mortality among workers exposed only to chrysotile would incorporate into the meta-analysis. The pooled standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for main cancer sites were calculated using two approaches of unweighted ratio and random effects model. The heterogeneity and its sources of the results were examined with a Q-statistic and Z-score test.

RESULTS26 chrysotile-exposed alone cohorts were summarized. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for all deaths (1.28), all cancers (1.26), cancers of respiratory organs (2.24), cancer of lung (2.29) and cancer of stomach (1.27) were observed. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for lung cancer within occupational strata were observed among textile workers (3.64), asbestos products manufacturers (3.07), miners and millers (2.24), cement products workers (1.22), and for stomach cancer among asbestos products manufacturers (1.48). Meta-SMRs for cancers at other sites were not significant.

CONCLUSIONThere were excessive risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma among workers exposure to chrysotile fiber alone, and likely no convincing indication of an etiological association between chrysotile exposure and cancers at other sites.

Asbestos ; poisoning ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; poisoning ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; mortality ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms ; etiology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of exposure to rush-mat dust on the health of workers.

METHODSA cross sectional study of 661 workers (349 men, 312 women) from 35 rush-mat plants was carried out by using occupational health investigation, questionnare and physical examination.

RESULTSThe geometric mean total dust concentration in the workshop was up to 20.00 mg/m3, and the geometric mean respirable dust concentration reached 8.22 mg/m3. The mean free SiO2 concentration of accumulated dust was 25.6%. The prevalence of radiographic small opacities profusion category > or = 1/0, according to the China Classification for pneumoconiosis (GB 5906-2000), and compared with the ILO 1980 system, was 2.57%. Even more, one man had category 2 pneumoconiosis with progressive massive fibrosis. However, the incidence of pneumoconiosis (1/0 at least) was correlated with work duration and dust concentration(r = 1.156, P < 0.001; r = 0.106, P = 0.006, respectively). Some positive correlations were found between the incidence of cough or expectoration and occupational exposure (r = 0.085, P = 0.028; r = 0.094, P = 0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first report of rush pneumoconiosis in China. The results have offered the possibility of a dose-response relationship between rush-mat dust and pneumoconiosis. More investigation in this area is need.

Aluminum Silicates ; Chemical Industry ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Pneumoconiosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo determine whether there was excessive risk of cancer among workers exposed to chrysotile fiber alone by applying a meta-analysis technique.

METHODSAll data meeting the criteria of cohort studies on cancer mortality among workers exposed only to chrysotile were incorporated into meta-analysis. Pooled standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for main cancer sites were calculated using two approaches of unweighted ratio and random effect model. The heterogeneity and its sources of the results were examined with a Q-statistic and Z-score test. The dose-response effect as reflected in the percentage of all deaths due to mesothelioma served as a proxy measure of chrysotile exposure.

RESULTSA cohort of twenty six workers exposed to chrysotile alone was summarized. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for all deaths (1.27), all cancers (1.28), cancers of respiratory organs (2.51), cancers of lung (2.35) and cancers of stomach (1.24) were observed. The significantly elevated meta-SMRs for lung cancer within occupational strata were observed among textile workers (3.55), asbestos product manufacturers (3.30), miners and millers (2.24), cement product workers (1.22), and for stomach cancer among asbestos product manufacturers (1.49). Meta-SMRs for cancers at other sites were not significant. Meta-SMR for lung cancer showed an increasing trend with an elevated percentage of all deaths from mesothelioma, but no such trend for stomach cancer.

CONCLUSIONThere are excessive risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma among workers exposed to chrysotile fiber alone, and likely no convincing indication of an etiological association between chrysotile exposure and cancers at other sites.

Asbestos, Serpentine ; adverse effects ; Cohort Studies ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; etiology ; mortality ; Mesothelioma ; etiology ; mortality ; Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; mortality ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Risk Assessment ; Stomach Neoplasms ; etiology ; mortality