Cancer incidence among members of the Norwegian trade union of insulation workers

J Occup Environ Med. 2004 Jan;46(1):84-9. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000105981.46987.42.

Abstract

Insulation work has been described as an occupation with high exposure to asbestos. A cohort of members of the Norwegian Trade Union of Insulation Workers (n = 1116), hired between 1930 and 1975, was established. During 2002, the cohort was linked to the Cancer Registry of Norway. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of pleural mesothelioma was 12.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.0-24.6). Two cases with peritoneal mesotheliomas were found (SIR, 14.8; 95% CI = 1.8-53.4). The SIR of lung cancer was 3.0 (95% CI = 2.3-3.8). Four cases of lung cancer were observed among cork workers without any exposure to asbestos, but to cork dust and tar smoke (SIR, 5.3; 95% CI = 1.5-13.6). Our study showed a high risk of mesothelioma and an elevated risk of lung cancer among members of the Trade Union of Insulation Workers.

MeSH terms

  • Asbestos / adverse effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Labor Unions
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Male
  • Mesothelioma / epidemiology
  • Mesothelioma / etiology*
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*

Substances

  • Asbestos