PREVENTION OF LUNG-CANCER THROUGH THE USE OF KNOWLEDGE ON ASBESTOS AND OTHER WORK-RELATED CAUSES - NORWEGIAN EXPERIENCES

This review attempts to estimate the contribution of different known w ork-related causes of lung cancer in the Norwegian male population in order to predict the potential of prevention of work-related cases. Th e presented estimates are based on data from epidemiologic studies mad e in Norway, but may be of significance for other countries with a sim ilar work-force structure. Over the past decade asbestos-related lung cancer appears to have contributed about two-thirds of the lung cancer s that have been related to work exposure in Norway, for example, poss ibly 125-175 of the 1100 cases that occurred among Norwegian men in 19 87. The potential for prevention is, however, greater due to synergism . To a less extent compounds of nickel and chromium have also contribu ted, along with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, radon da ughters, seafaring work, and other, less significant specific and nons pecific determinants of lung cancer.