Mesothelioma incidence in 50 states and the District of Columbia, United States, 2003-2008.

BACKGROUND: The decline in asbestos use in the United States may impact mesothelioma incidence. OBJECTIVE: This report provides national and state-specific estimates of mesothelioma incidence in the United States using cancer surveillance data for the entire US population. METHODS: Data from the National Program for Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program were used to calculate incidence rates and annual percent change. RESULTS: During 2003-2008, an average of 1.05 mesothelioma cases per 100 000 persons were diagnosed annually in the United States; the number of cases diagnosed each year remained level, whereas rates decreased among men and were stable among women. CONCLUSION: US population-based cancer registry data can be used to determine the burden of mesothelioma and track its decline. Even 30 years after peak asbestos use in the United States, 3200 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually, showing that the US population is still at risk.

Rayon flock: a new cause of respiratory morbidity in a card processing plant.

BACKGROUND: Following employee respiratory concerns, we investigated the health effects of rayon flock exposure at a card manufacturing plant. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey including environmental evaluation, standardized questionnaires, spirometry, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity testing, and methacholine challenge testing. RESULTS: From a total of 239 participants, 146 (61%) reported working at least 1 hr per week in areas where flock-coated cards are processed (flock workers) and 47 (20%) reported cleaning equipment with compressed air. These workers had generally higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms. Flock workers and employees with longer tenure at areas where flock-coated cards are processed were more likely to have restrictive impairment of lung function. Although dust and fiber samples were largely below the detection limits, peak exposures to airborne particulate occurred during cleaning with compressed air. CONCLUSIONS: Working with rayon flock and cleaning with compressed air were associated with health effects in workers at this plant.

Twenty-three years of hypersensitivity pneumonitis mortality surveillance in the United States.

BACKGROUND: There are few population-based studies addressing hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in the United States. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has nationally comprehensive longitudinal mortality data that can contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of HP. METHODS: The National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause-of-death data were analyzed for the period 1980-2002. Annual death rate was age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Death rate time-trends were calculated using a linear regression model and geographic distribution of death rates were mapped by state and county. Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) by usual industry and occupation adjusted for age, sex, and race, were based on data from 26 states reporting industry and occupation during 1985-1999. RESULTS: Overall age-adjusted death rates increased significantly (P < 0.0001) between 1980 and 2002, from 0.09 to 0.29 per million. Wisconsin had the highest rate at 1.04 per million. Among industries, PMR for HP was significantly high for agricultural production, livestock (PMR, 19.3; 95% CI, 14.0-25.9) and agricultural production, crops (PMR, 4.3; 95% CI, 3.0-6.0). Among occupations, PMR for HP was significantly elevated for farmers, except horticulture (PMR, 8.1; 95% CI, 6.4-10.2). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that agricultural industries are closely associated with HP mortality and preventive strategies are needed to protect workers in these industries.

Risk factors for asthma among cosmetology professionals in Colorado.

PROBLEM: After receiving several reports of occupational asthma among cosmetology professionals, we studied the prevalence, work-attributable risk, and tasks associated with asthma in this industry. METHODS: We selected a stratified random sample of cosmeticians, manicurists, barbers, and cosmetologists holding licenses in Colorado for a mail survey instrument. RESULTS: The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma among the 1883 respondents (68% response rate) was 9.3%; of these, 67 (38%) developed asthma after entering the cosmetology profession. Multivariate analyses showed that hairstyling, application of artificial nails, and shaving and honing were significantly associated with asthma arising in the course of employment (P < 0.005) with relative risks of 2.6-2.9. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of asthma with onset during employment among cosmetologists is probably attributable to their exposure to sensitizers and irritants in tasks demonstrated to be associated with asthma.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica in a patient with silicosis: CT, bronchoscopy, and pathology findings.

A case of tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica in a patient with silicosis is reported, showing a rare association of disease. Etiological hypotheses and clinical aspects are discussed. Radiologic, bronchoscopic, and pathologic findings are demonstrated with emphasis on the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of this disease.

Malignant mesothelioma surveillance: a comparison of ICD 10 mortality data with SEER incidence data in nine areas of the United States.

With the implementation in 1999 of ICD-10 death certificate coding in the United States, mortality data specific to malignant mesothelioma became readily available on a national basis. To evaluate the accuracy and completeness of diagnosis and coding for mesothelioma on the death certificate, mortality information was compared with incidence data. A mortality/incidence ratio was calculated for each of the nine areas covered by the SEER Program, using National Vital Statistics mortality data from 1999 and 2000, and the SEER incidence data for 1998 and 1999. The mortality/incidence ratio for the two years combined for all areas was 0.82. Only two areas (Connecticut and Atlanta) had ratios <80%. The overall correlation coefficient between mortality and incidence rates was 0.96. Thus, mortality data coded using ICD-10 can be a valid source for mesothelioma surveillance and can be instituted without major cost if a national mortality statistics program based on ICD-10 is in place, making it feasible even for developing countries.

Mortality from pleural mesothelioma in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1979-2000: estimation from death certificates, hospital records, and histopathologic assessments.

To obtain information about the occurrence of pleural mesothelioma on a population basis in Brazil, mortality related to pleural tumors in the State of Rio de Janeiro during 1979-2000 was examined. Death certificates with pleural tumors as the main cause of death and hospital records were analyzed, together with histopathologic material, which was reevaluated. Of 217 death certificates coded as pleural tumors, 34.1% were considered wrongly coded. Results after reclassification were: definite mesothelioma = 45 cases; probable = 7; possible = 31; inconclusive = 65; other tumors = 11. Thus, the number of mesotheliomas in Rio de Janeiro in 1979-2000 is estimated to have been 83. The analysis also suggests a problem with mortality codification in the State.