[Health risks due to the presence of asbestos in cosmetic talcs. An Italian story]. / Rischi per la salute dovuti alla possibile presenza di amianto nei talchi cosmetici. Riflessioni sull'esperienza italiana.

The presence of asbestos in cosmetic talc has been reported in the United States since the 1970s. The present article first retraces the Italian case, then focuses on technical features as well as the relevant laws, rules, and regulations, ending with a precautionary evidence-based approach. Research was mainly aimed at retrieving official Italian Health Authority papers on the tests carried out several decades ago, to identify the presence of any asbestos in talc of products for sale. Results show that, in Italy, National Institute of Health (the technical agency of the Ministry of Health) and the Italian Pharmacopoeia (1985) used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to ascertain the absence of asbestos fibres, following positive identification in several samples they had analysed. In 2008, Italy adopted the EU Pharmacopoeia according to which light microscopy (LM) was sufficient for analysis. Such a technical downgrading clearly went - and goes - against the standard principle of precaution to prevent harm to users' health.Unfortunately, documents on the above-mentioned SEM research that would have contextualized observations were not recovered from the Italian State Archive. Observations and results indicate that in practice levels of attention on the issue underwent a considerable (negative) decline, so much that effective planning of the necessary controls was not possible, which is unfortunately true to this day. Final comments deal with the principle of precaution and possible practical operational solutions.

[The assessment of asbestos exposure of mesothelioma cases registered in Italy: which problems more than thirty years after the birth of the first regional archives]. / La valutazione dell'esposizione ad amianto dei casi di mesotelioma maligno registrati in Italia: quali problematiche a più di trent'anni dalla nascita dei primi archivi regionali.

More than 30 years have passed since the beginning of the epidemiological surveillance of mesothelioma (MM). The Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM), part of the research department of the National Institute for insurance against industrial injuries (INAIL), has published 7 reports with the description of the cas-es concerning the assessment of diagnoses and exposures to asbestos suffered mainly during working activities but also environmental, in the family premises and during personal activities.Today we are witnessing a reduction in the commitment by some regions which negatively affects those who develop the pathology. Reading the ReNaM reports it emerges, among others, the problem of the delay in reporting new cases which limits the collection of information directly from patients. This contribution, discussing various topics, invites to develop a debate that should allow to update and resolve the critical aspects that arise after decades of activity regarding, in particular, the asbestos exposure assessment. It is the primary interest of the authors to give continuity and improve the ReNaM which remains the most prestigious MM register among those active in other countries.

Round-Robin Tests with Relocatable Coverslips Improve Asbestos Fibre Counting.

Asbestos fibre counting by phase-contrast microscope is subject to many sources of variation, including those dependent on the analyst. In this study, asbestos sample slides prepared with relocatable coverslips have been used for fibre counting among voluntary analysts to evaluate their proficiency. One slide of amosite and one of chrysotile were distributed to all the analysts, and three proficiency testing rounds were conducted for amosite and four for chrysotile. Each relocatable coverslip has a report in which are reported for each viewing field both the number of certified fibres (Verified Fibres) and a drawing representing the shape and position of the individual fibres. In the first round, the analysts were asked to report only the number of fibres counted in each of the predesignated fields of view. In the other rounds, subsequently developed, the analysts had to report the number and the position of the fibres for each field. The reported number of fibres and their position in each of the designed fields were evaluated against their respective verified fibres, to identify types of error. Discrepancies between reported fibres and verified fibres in each field of view have been used to evaluate the proficiency of the analysts. The discrepancies can be positive (D+) or negative (D-) depending on whether the analyst counts, for a specific field of view, more or less fibres compared to the verified fibres. The score is calculated using the following equation: Score = (1 - ∑D+ + ∑│D-│/VF) × 100. An analyst obtaining a score of ≥60, which corresponds to (∑D+ + ∑│D-│)/VF ≤ 0.40, is proficient. The number of laboratories that participating in this study varied from 13 to 17 depending on the rounds. For amosite fibre counts, the results were generally good compared to a proficiency score of 60. The major error made by analysts was the counting of fibres shorter than 5 µm, where this error was of 62% of extra fibres and accounted for 8% over-estimation of amosite fibres. For chrysotile, a score of ≥50 has been used to consider an analyst as proficient. The results of chrysotile fibres showed that in the first round all analysts counted less than fifty per cent of the verified fibres. In the second round 10 analysts out of 13 reached a score of ≥50, 8 of 16 in the third and 10 of 12 in the fourth. For chrysotile fibres, the error relating to the counting of fibres shorter than 5 µm was of 56% of extra fibres, but the error that most influenced the results was the number of oversight-missing fibres. This type of error accounted for 97% of the missing fibres and for the 29% under-estimation of the chrysotile fibres. For amosite fibre counting, results of this study show an improvement of the analyst's performance. For the chrysotile fibre count, although there is a significant improvement in the comparison between some rounds, this is not continuous over time.

Asbestos containing materials in schools of Rome and surrounding area (Italy).

Despite Italy banning use and production of asbestos in 1992, it continues to represent a risk to human health due to its permanence in the places where it was located. The aim of this work is to estimate how many schools in Rome (Italy) have asbestos containing materials (ACM), and to assess whether the location, condition and nature of ACM can influence the level of risk for student health. 3,672 schools were contacted and 1,451 participated to asbestos survey. 692 bulk samples were collected and analyzed by optical and electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. About 16% of the surveyed schools had ACM. Most of the ACM were not accessible to students (water tanks, boiler thermal insulations). Asbestos-cement materials and vinyl floor tiles were the most common non-friable materials found in schools and equipment insulation linings and Bunsen burner gauze mats were the friable ACM found in science laboratories. Measures to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards were applied where necessary. This study allowed to develop the awareness of the asbestos health hazard among headteachers and the need to manage these hazards appropriately. It represents the beginning of a larger study leading to ACM national mapping in schools.

[About the asbestos and the Position Paper on asbestos of the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine]. / A proposito dell'amianto e del Position Paper della Società italiana di medicina del lavoro sull'amianto.

The SIML Position Paper dedicated to asbestos (PPA) is addressed (mainly) to competent practitioners (CP) for the purposes to provide a guidance about a set of items classified as markedly interesting: the actuality of asbestos exposure and the evaluation of the related risk; the diagnosis of the asbestos related diseases; the shape of the risk functions (namely about mesotheliomas); the causal relationship between exposure and disease; the medical surveillance of the workers currently and previously exposed. The scientific literature doesn't acknowledge the idea that nowadays in Italy the frequency of pleural mesotheliomas deriving from environmental asbestos from outdoor sources exposures is really a relevant item. Inside the SIML PPA the chapter concerning industrial hygiene and environmental monitoring themes shows inaccuracies and deficiencies, so resulting of scarce utility for the CPs that should be called for a more cooperative role in front of the employers. The arguments of the diagnosis of the asbestos related diseases is developed with an undue emphasis upon the differential histological diagnosis of asbestosis and, especially, of pleural mesothelioma: nosographic aspects that hardly are posed to the attention of the CP. A similar emphasis is posed towards the shape of the risk function for pleural mesothelioma, a theme absent from the current practice of the CP such as of other occupational practitioners. In conclusion, next to themes of undoubted interest for the PC, the SIML PPA dwells on the scrutiny of some topics representing critical elements of the current contrast between consultants and valuers in the context of criminal prosecutions: subjects having forensic relevance but far from the "application actuality" for the CP invoked in the PPA. A greater transparency, last but not least, was to have been posed, inside the SIML PPA, in the disclosure of the conflict of interests (COIs) of some Authors, declaring their consultancy in favour of companies.

Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos consumption in Latin America (LA) amounts to 10% of yearly global production. Little is known about the impact of asbestos exposure in the region. OBJECTIVE: To discuss scientific and socio-economic issues and conflicts of interest and to summarize epidemiological data of asbestos health effects in LA. DISCUSSION: Recent data on chrysotile strengthened the evidence of its carcinogenicity and showed an excessive risk of lung cancer at cumulative exposure levels as low as 1.5 fibre-years/ml. Technology for substitution is available for all asbestos-containing products and ceasing asbestos production and manufacturing will not result in unemployment and loss of income, except for the mining industry. The flawed arguments used by the industry to maintain its market, both to the public and in courtrooms, strongly relies on the lack of local evidence of the ill effects and on the invisibility of asbestos-related diseases in LA, due to the limited number of studies and the exposed workers' difficulty accessing health services. The few epidemiological studies available show clear evidence of clusters of mesothelioma in municipalities with a history of asbestos consumption and a forecasted rise in its incidence in Argentina and Brazil for the next decade. In Brazil, non-governmental organizations of asbestos workers were pivotal to counterbalance misinformation and inequities, ending recently in a Supreme Court decision backing an asbestos ban. In parallel, continuous efforts should be made to stimulate the growth of competent and ethical researchers to convey adequate information to the scientific community and to the general public.

Silicosis mortality in Italy: temporal trends 1990-2012 and spatial patterns 2000-2012.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this contribution is to describe, for the first time, occurrence, temporal trends and spatial patterns of mortality from silicosis in Italy in recent decades. METHODS: Mortality data on pneumoconiosis due to silica or silicates (ICD-9 code 502, ICD-10 code J62) were extracted from the Italian National Mortality Database. Temporal trends were analysed in the period 1990-2012; standardized rates per 100 000, spatial distribution, including cluster analysis, were computed for eleven years, i.e. 2000-2012 (2004-2005, data non available). RESULTS: In the period 1990-2012, a general decline in mortality was found with a total decrease of 74% and an estimated three year percentage change of -7.72. 4590 deaths from silicosis were observed in eleven years, 98% of them among men. The average age at death was 79.8 years. The mean age standardized rate was 0.33 (95% CI: 0.32 to 0.34). The Regions of Aosta Valley, Abruzzo and Sardinia had the highest rates. The assessment of risk at municipality level showed a significant excess of risk in 804 out of 8057 municipalities. Clusters of municipalities with a risk higher than expected were 34, observed in 18 out of 21 Regions. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that mortality due to silicosis in Italy has steadily declined in the last decades, with differences among Regions. Clusters of municipalities with an excess of risk should be verified with Local Health Units in order to assess the need of targeted preventive actions.

Asbestos contamination in feldspar extraction sites: a failure of prevention? Commentary.

Fibrous tremolite is a mineral species belonging to the amphibole group. It is present almost everywhere in the world as a natural contaminant of other minerals, like talc and vermiculite. It can be also found as a natural contaminant of the chrysotile form of asbestos. Tremolite asbestos exposures result in respiratory health consequences similar to the other forms of asbestos exposure, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Although abundantly distributed on the earth's surface, tremolite is only rarely present in significant deposits and it has had little commercial use. Significant presence of amphibole asbestos fibers, characterized as tremolite, was identified in mineral powders coming from the milling of feldspar rocks extracted from a Sardinian mining site (Italy). This evidence raises several problems, in particular the prevention of carcinogenic risks for the workers. Feldspar is widespread all over the world and every year it is produced in large quantities and it is used for several productive processes in many manufacturing industries (over 21 million tons of feldspar mined and marketed every year). Until now the presence of tremolite asbestos in feldspar has not been described, nor has the possibility of such a health hazard for workers involved in mining, milling and handling of rocks from feldspar ores been appreciated. Therefore the need for a wider dissemination of knowledge of these problems among professionals, in particular mineralogists and industrial hygienists, must be emphasized. In fact both disciplines are necessary to plan appropriate environmental controls and adequate protections in order to achieve safe working conditions.

Familial malignant mesothelioma: a population-based study in central Italy (1980-2012).

Malignant mesothelioma is a sporadic cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Its occurrence among blood relatives (familial mesothelioma) may point to genetic susceptibility or shared exposures. The burden of the familial disease is unknown. The aims of the study were to assess at population level the proportion of familial mesotheliomas among all mesotheliomas and to investigate the family history of cancer among relatives of mesothelioma cases. We actively searched familial clusters based on a mesothelioma registry from central Italy (5.5 million people, 10% of the Italian population) of the National Mesothelioma Register network (ReNaM) as well as a pathology-based archive. Among 997 incident mesotheliomas recorded in a 32-year-period (1980-2012), we detected 13 clusters and 34 familial cases, accounting for 3.4% of all mesotheliomas. The most common clusters where those with affected siblings and unaffected parents. Asbestos exposure was occupational (n=7 clusters), household (n=2), environmental (n=1), or not attributable for insufficient information (n=3). There were 25 additional cancers in nine families. Some were cancer sites for which there is sufficient evidence (lung and larynx) or limited evidence (stomach and colon) of causal association with asbestos. The results suggest potential genetic recessive effects in mesothelioma that interact with asbestos exposure, but it is not possible to estimate the specific proportion attributable to each of these components.

Continued exposure to silica after diagnosis of silicosis in Brazilian gold miners.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of studies analyzing the effect of continued silica exposure after the onset of silicosis with regard to disease progression. The present study investigates differences in clinical and radiological presentation of silicosis among former workers with a diagnosis of silicosis, and compares workers who continued to be exposed to silica with those who stopped silica exposure after having received their diagnosis. METHODS: A sample of 83 former gold miners with a median of 21 years from the first diagnoses of silicosis, had their clinical and occupational histories taken and underwent both chest radiography (International Labor Organization standards) and spirometry. Their silica exposure was assessed and an exposure index was created. The main outcome was the radiological severity of silicosis and tuberculosis (TB). The statistical analysis was done by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 83 miners, 44 had continued exposed to silica after being diagnosed with silicosis. Continuation of silica exposure was associated with advanced radiological images of silicosis (X-ray classification in category 3, OR = 6.42, 95% CI = 1.20-34.27), presence of coalescence and/or large opacities (OR = 3.85, CI = 1.07-13.93), and TB (OR = 4.61, 95% CI = 1.14-18.71). CONCLUSIONS: Differential survival is unlikely to explain observed differences in silicosis progression. Results reinforce the recommendation that silica exposure should be halted at an early stage whenever X-ray is suggestive of the disease.

Silicosis and lung function decrements among female ceramic workers in Italy.

It is well known that male ceramic workers have elevated risks of chronic silicosis. The objective of this study was to assess whether female ceramic workers also have an increased risk of silicosis and whether these women have decreased lung function related to silica exposure. Ceramic workers from Civitacastellana, Italy, were enrolled in health surveillance during the 1970s. A total of 642 women were under surveillance; a respiratory monitoring program was conducted from 1974 to 1987, with follow-up through 1991 that included annual chest radiography and measurement of lung function. Radiography findings were defined as silicosis if the chest films were > or =1/0 with small, rounded opacities. Multiple linear regression models for repeated measures (generalized estimating equations) were run to evaluate associations of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) with years of exposure and radiograph opacities. Nine cases of silicosis were identified on the basis of radiographic evidence. Silicosis risk was not associated with smoking but was related to employment before 1970 and demonstrated a dose-response gradient for years of exposure. FVC and FEV(1) both showed significant (p < 0.05) associations with duration of exposure and with positive radiography findings. The results for female ceramic workers are consistent with those for male employees regarding exposure to fibrogenic dusts.