Mesothelioma: what it is and how widespread it is
The mesothelioma it is a rare tumor that originates from mesotheliumthe membrane that covers internal organs such as pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and vaginal tunic.
There are forms benignsurgically negotiable and forms malignantmore aggressive. In Italy it represents the 0.8% of male tumors And it 0.3% of the female oneswith about 1,500 cases in men and 500 in women in 2020. The 90% of cases is due toExposure to asbestoswith a latency of decades. By law, all cases are reported to Renam.
Crucial monitoring for public health
Before the 1992 call, Asbestos was widely used In various industrial sectors and in construction, thanks to its resistance and isolation properties. However, the inhalation of its fibers is highly dangerous, causing serious pathologies such as the Mesothelioma of the pleura, the peritoneum, the pericardium and the testicle.
One of the most critical aspects of this disease is the long period of latencywhich can go up to 40 years or more between exposure and diagnosis.
Epidemiological surveillance, conducted in synergy by INAIL and regions in the field of Renam, allows you to monitor the incidence of mesothelioma and to identify the Sources of exposure even in less known sectors for the use of asbestos. This allows to improve the strategies of prevention and protection of the health of workers and the population.
The eighth Renam report: the key data
THE’eighth Renam report has surveyed 37,003 cases of mesothelioma in the period 1993-2021with detailed analyzes on Over 29 thousand cases to determine the exposure methods.
The most significant data that emerged from the relationship are:
- geographical distribution: over 50% of cases are recorded in Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, regions historically linked to industry and shipbuilding;
- headquarters of the disease: 93.1% of cases concern the pleura;
- average age to diagnosis: 71 years;
- Distribution by gender: 72.1% of cases concern men.
The report also includes a detailed analysis for the economic sector, documenting the use of asbestos in the various production sectors, in the machinery and in the systems.
Professional and environmental exhibition: the main causes
Among the 29,020 cases with defined exposure:
- 68.9% of the subjects had anprofessional exhibition;
- 5.1% has contracted the disease for family exhibition (for example, cohabitants of workers who brought asbestos fibers at home through clothing);
- 4.4% he suffered aenvironmental exposurethat is, living near industrial plants that used asbestos;
- 1.5% has had exposure through leisure or hobby activities;
- 20% of cases presents an exhibition unknown or improbable.
THE’building It is the most involved sector with the 16.5% of cases, followed by themetalworking industry (8.9%) and from the Metallurgy (4.1%). However, many other sectors have been interested, including the port activities, sugar factories, chemical and plastic industryas well as the Production, repair and maintenance of motor vehicles.
The role of INAIL and regions in epidemiological surveillance
The data collected by Renam highlight how the risk of asbestos exposure is not confined to the historically known industrial sectors, but you are moving towards new areas of activity. This imposes a continuous updating of scientific knowledge in work medicine and industrial hygiene.
Inail considers the epidemiological surveillance of asbestos-related diseases a strategic priority, guaranteeing support for the regions to develop scientific research and targeted interventions. Monitoring of the incidence of mesothelioma and the analysis of professional and environmental exhibitions are essential tools for understand the trend of the diseaseimprove the Awareness of risks And strengthen prevention activities.
