Fabricating Asbestos Products

Emedicine Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy of pleural and peritoneal origin that is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. The disease is often designated as an occupational or environmental disease that develops from exposure during the mining of asbestos ores or the fabrication of asbestos products. A total of 12 cases of pleural cancers were reported in New Caledonia, an island in the Pacific Ocean, during a 10-year period (1996-2006). These cases were reviewed and the findings compared with five international cancer registries.

Other suspect cases were excluded from the final total because of inadequate or unavailable evidence in support of the diagnosis. There was an excess of mesothelioma in patients in the Melanesian ethnic group. Family and case interviews indicated that all of the 12 cases identified resided, at least part of their lives, in rural areas and in tribal compounds. No increased risk was associated with employment in nickel mining (an island industry). The patients lived on various parts of the island, and no particular relationship could be established between area of residence and disease. Some type of environmental agent could be associated with the excess number of cases, but was not detected in this study; further research is recommended.
   
Asbestos, in various forms, is a well-known risk factor for certain diseases.  Pleural cancer is related to occupational exposure (asbestos or fibers of industrial origin) and environmental exposure (e.g., natural fibers in the soil of a region, local industries that use certain materials, asbestos in building materials). Persons who live with an occupationally exposed member of the household can also experience exposure.
 
Within the framework of a study on the relationship between respiratory cancer and occupational exposure in the nickel industry, we collected data on all respiratory cancer cases, including cancer of the emedicine that were diagnosed during a 10-y period.  In an incidence study and in a case-control study within a cohort of nickel-exposed workers, nickel exposure was excluded in New Caledonia as a risk-factor of respiratory cancer, including, as expected, cancer of the pleura.

The authors considered the possible pathological role of natural asbestos fibers in the soil, especially in the nickel mines, to be of sufficient interest to warrant study.

New Caledonia is a large island in the Southern Pacific region. Of the approximately 145 000 inhabitants, 40% are Melanesian and 40% are European. All pleural cancer cases that were diagnosed during the preceding 10-y period were reviewed in France by a Certification Committee that was composed of pneumology experts.  The cases were then submitted for certification to the French National Committee of Mesothelioma.  Twelve cases were certified as primitive pleural cancers, of which 9 were emedicine mesothelioma cases.  The remaining 3 were probable cases, but clinico-pathological evidence was insufficient. 

Residence and occupational history information for the 12 cases of emedicine mesothelioma was reconstructed during an interview with a family member. Information included details on all places of residence and a description of all employment activities.

Mesothelioma Patient