Document gDkypv8qB7OKDnB0mYgGz6R8V

Pergamon Atm. wrap. Ww.. VcL 38* No, 4. pp. 633-638. I9W EUcvier Science Lid Copyright <; 1994 British Occupational Hygtvftc Society ' Printed in Great Boroitaoin^.TAsdmfigh$7u.efocue-rov.eodo 0003-4878(94)E0032-U MESOTHELIOMA AMONG CAR MECHANICS?* H.-J. Worrowrrz and K. Rodelsferger (Receioed 30 November 1993 and in finalform IS February 1994) Paper read at the Workshop on Health Risks Associated with Chrysotile Asbestos, held in Jersey, Channel Islands, 14-17 November 1993. No Asiract. In 1991 and 1992 preliminary information was given on an on-going case-control study of mesothelioma, which up to that time involved 175 cases, of whom 14 were car mechanics (Worrowrrz and Rodelsperger, 1991, 1992). This, study has now been finished (Worrowrrz et a1994) and the final results relating to car mechanics can be reported. Of the original 14 cases four had to be rejected, since the panel of pathologists finally classified them only as "possible mesothelioma". Ultimately out of 324 cases of mesothelioma 16 were classified as motor vehicle mechanics (according to code 421 "Kraftfahrzeug-Instandsetzer"--"motor vehicle repair worker"--of the German Federal Statistical Office). They were compared with 16 mechanics among 315 hospital controls and 12 mechanics among 182 population controls (see Table 1). The hospital controls were patients who had undergone lung resection for reasons other than mesothelioma, in most instances because of lung cancer. Evaluation of the occupational histories of cases and controls showed that one of the mesothelioma cases and one of the hospital controls worked with locomotive engines and a second case worked with trams. A third mesothelioma patient worked in automobile production where he was exclusively involved in fitting windscreens. Among the population controls who had worked with cars one had only painted cars and another had produced car spare parts. The motor mechanics began their employment in that capacity between 1925 and 1972, the median date being 1949 for both groups of patients and 1946 for the population controls. The duration of relevant employment was longer for controls than for cases, with median values of 5, 5.5 and 4 years, respectively. Seven of the mesothelioma cases, nine of the hospital controls and three of the population controls said that they had d'one brake repair work. In all three groups there were some individuals who had substantial asbestos exposure in other types of employment (e.g. in a power plant or in the ship-building industry). Only four of the mesothelioma cases, two of the hospital controls and five of the population controls had no history of asbestos exposure. Three of these four mesothelioma cases, and also two of the five Supported by the German Federal Minisiry of Science and Technology. Project No. 01 HK 076 A6, 635