Skip to content
The Kids Research Institute Australia logo
Donate

Discover . Prevent . Cure .

All-cause mortality and cancer incidence among adults exposed to blue asbestos during childhood

This study investigated cancer and mortality of adults exposed to blue asbestos as children.

Authors:
Reid A, Franklin P, Olsen N, Sleith J, Samuel L, Aboagye-Sarfo P, de Klerk N, Musk AB

Authors notes:
American Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2013;56(2):133-145

Keywords:
Asbestos, Cancer incidence, Children, Crocidolite, Mortality, Wittenoom

Abstract:
There are few data on the long-term health outcomes of exposure to asbestos in childhood.

This study investigated cancer and mortality of adults exposed to blue asbestos as children.

There were 217 (93 female) incident cancers and 218 (70 female) deaths among the cohort.

Compared with the Western Australian population females had elevated mesothelioma, ovarian and brain cancers, and increased "all cause" and "all cancer" mortality.

Males had elevated mesothelioma, leukemia, prostate, brain, and colorectal cancers, and excess mortality from "all causes," "all cancers," circulatory disease, diseases of the nervous system, and accidents.

Exposure to blue asbestos in childhood is associated with an increased risk of cancer and mortality in adults.