Malignant pleural mesothelioma in bakers and pastry cooks

Background The occurrence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) among bak ers and pastry cooks has never been documented. Case reports We detected eight cases of MPM in bakers, pastry cooks, and bi scuit cooks engaged in making, baking/cooking, and selling pastry/bread in two hospital-based series (Rome and Orbassano/Turin, Italy; period 1990-199 7; 222 cases). Field-investigations revealed asbestos-containing material ( ACM) in ovens for baking bread, that were manufactured prior to the 1980s. Conclusions It is suggested that there is a possible new association of til e risk of having worked as a baker or pastry cook and MPM. Presumptive sour ce of exposure to asbestos was the use of asbestos-insulated ovens. (C) 200 1 Wiley-Liss, Inc.