Trends in Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Mesothelioma Incidence in Emilia-Romagna Italy: A Retrospective Study 1996-2023

• Published in: Medicina del lavoro 2024-08, Vol.115 (4), p.e2024028
• Main Authors: Giacomino, Fausto, Marinelli, Francesco, Bisceglia, Isabella, Cacchi, Marco, Storchi, Cinzia, Pinto, Carmine, Mangone, Lucia, Romanelli, Antonio, Morabito, Fortunato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asbestos - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Incidence; Italy - epidemiology; Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology; Lung Neoplasms - etiology; Male; Mesothelioma - epidemiology; Mesothelioma - etiology; Mesothelioma, Malignant - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0025-7818
• DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v115i4.16005

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare but lethal cancer strongly associated with asbestos exposure. This retrospective study examines trends in asbestos exposure in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. Between 1996 and 2023, 3,513 cases of MM were recorded, predominantly in males (72%) and in older than 65 years (79%). Occupational exposure accounted for 82% of cases, with a significant increase observed over time from 71% to 88% in the most recent period. A greater definition of professional exposure indicates that certain exposure has gone from 49% in the first period to 62% and 58% in the last two periods; probable exposure showed a decrease from 21% to 16% while possible exposure decreased from 16% to 13%. Familiar exposure remained relatively constant at around 8%, environmental exposure showed a slight decrease from 4% to 2%, while non-occupational exposure remained stable at 2%. Among patients with exclusively occupational exposure (1,826 cases), 87% were male and aged between 65 and 75 years (36%) and 75+ (41%). The exposure rates for the province of residence see the province of Reggio Emilia with the highest occupational exposure rate (2.5 x 100,000 residents), followed by Ravenna (2.3 x 100,000 residents) and Parma and Piacenza which have similar exposure rates with 2.2 x 100,000 residents. Professional sectors such as construction, railway maintenance and metalworking are identified as high-risk industries. Despite efforts to mitigate exposure, non-occupational and environmental exposures persist. The study highlights the importance of continuous surveillance and exposure monitoring to guide effective interventions and legal recognition of MM.