Fluoro-edenite induced disease in the Sicilian site of Biancavilla (Italy).

Abstract

Objectives Fluoro-edenite, a fibrous amphibole present in the soil and building materials of Biancavilla, (Sicily), was allocated in 2014 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to the Group 1 as cause of mesothelioma. The aim of our research is to monitor the occurrence of mesothelioma and to evaluate data on non-malignant respiratory diseases among Biancavilla residents to better target prevention action. Methods Mesothelioma mortality and pleural cancer hospitalization (2006-2012) as well as incidence data (1998-2003) were analyzed. Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), Standardized Hospitalization Ratio (SHR), Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) were estimated with respect to regional rates. A descriptive research of the hospitalized pneumoconiosis cases in Biancavilla residents was undertaken (2006-2013). Results A statistically significant death excess from Pleural Mesothelioma (SMR 632) was observed; very high figures and 0.5 sex ratio (M/W) were shown in the younger age groups. Pleural cancer hospitalization showed significant excesses (SHR 399) in particular among younger persons. Mesothelioma incidence was increased in men (SIR 346) and in women (SIR 1221) with a sex ratio equal to one. Twenty-eight cases of pneumoconiosis (18 men and 10 women) were found. Conclusions The study confirms the role of exposure to fluoro-edenite fibres as source of mesothelioma, and the observed sex ratio, regarding mortality, hospitalization and incidence, corroborates the role of an environmental exposure. The higher excesses of death, hospitalizations, and incidence among young subjects suggest early exposure, in teenage/childhood years. The occurrence of unexpected hospitalization for pneumoconiosis in Biancavilla underlines the importance of further investigation on non malignant respiratory diseas