High-risk mesothelioma relation to meteorological and geological condition and distance from naturally occurring asbestos.

Abdurrahman Abakay,Ozlem Abakay,Mahsuk Taylan,Abdullah Cetin Tanrikulu,Mustafa Ayhan,Mehmet Sefik Imamoglu,Muhammet Ali Kaplan

doi:10.1007/s12199-015-0501-3

Abdurrahman Abakay, Ozlem Abakay + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-015-0501-3

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Abstract

Very few studies have investigated the incidence and risk of malignant mesothelioma (MM) associated with distinct sources of asbestos exposure, especially exposure to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA). Subjects were MM, lung, and breast cancer patients who were diagnosed and followed in Diyarbakir Province between 2008 and 2013. The birthplaces of patients were displayed on a geologic map. Geological and meteorological effects on MM were analyzed by logistic regression. A total of 180 MM, 368 breast, and 406 lung cancer patients were included. The median distance from birthplace to ophiolites was 6.26 km for MM, 31.06 km for lung, and 34.31 km for breast cancer (p < 0.001). The majority of MM cases were seen within 20 km from NOA areas. The MM incidence inside of NOA was 1059/100.000, and out of NOA was 397/100.000; this difference was significant (p = 0.014). The largest concentration of MM residential areas was within ± 30° (34 residential areas 36.6%) of the dominant wind direction. Most MM patients were found in or near the dominant wind direction, especially in the acute angle defined by the dominant wind direction. MM incidence was directly proportional to {[area of NOA (km(2))] * [cosine α of wind direction angle]} and was inversely proportional to the square of the distance (R = 0.291, p = 0.023). MM was higher near NOA and in the downwind direction. MM incidence and risk were affected by geological and meteorological factors.

Highlights

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a tumor originating from the pleura, the pericardium, peritoneum, or tunica vaginalis may be affected
This study aimed to investigate factors that affect MM incidence including geological, environmental, and meteorological conditions, dominant wind direction, distance to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA), and rock type in an MM-prevalent region of Turkey
We found the largest number of MM residential areas within ±30° of the dominant wind direction (34 residential areas, 36.6 %) (Fig. 3)

Summary

Introduction

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a tumor originating from the pleura, the pericardium, peritoneum, or tunica vaginalis may be affected. The strong relationship between asbestos exposure and MM has been recognized since the early 1960s [1]. MM is generally caused by environmental and occupational asbestos exposure. Asbestos found in volcanic tuff has been shown to induce mesothelioma. MM resulting from environmental exposure to asbestos is a relatively common pleural cancer in some areas of Turkey [2]. Mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos at work (occupational exposure). The term ‘naturally occurring asbestos’ (NOA) applies to minerals as natural components of soils or rocks, as opposed to the asbestos in commercial products, mining, or processing operations. Road construction, agriculture, forestry, urban development, and natural weathering processes have all potentially contributed to release of asbestos fibers into the environment to some degree. If NOA is not disturbed and fibers are not released into the air, it is not a health risk [3]

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