A historical cohort mortality study among shipyard workers in genoa, Italy

Background A historical cohort mortality study was conducted among 3984 shi pyard workers assigned to ship repair, refitting, and construction in the h arbor of Genoa, Italy, between 1960 and 1981. These workers were exposed to asbestos fibers, welding fumes and gases, silica dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and solvents. Methods Workers were classified in 20 different job-titles depending upon t he type of activity. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed usi ng male residents of the Province of Genoa as the referent population. Results and Conclusions For the whole cohort significantly increased SMRs w ere detected for all causes, all cancers, liver larynx, lung, pleural and b ladder cancers, respiratory tract diseases, and cirrhosis of the liver. The analysis by job-title showed increased SMRs not only for pleural cancer, b ut also for lung, laryngeal cancers and respiratory tract diseases in occup ations entailing heavy asbestos exposure. Bladder and liver cancers and liv er cirrhosis mortality also appeared to be related to occupational exposure . (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.