Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers

(1) Background: Occupational exposure to asbestos remains a significant public health concern due to its association with pleural cancer and other cancers. This cohort study examines the incidence of asbestos-related diseases among railway carriage maintenance workers exposed to asbestos between 196...

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Main Authors: Leonardo Scarso, Marco Novelli, Eva Lorenza Negri, Carlotta Zunarelli, the Pleural Cancer 2024 Study Group, Francesco Saverio Violante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1155
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author Leonardo Scarso
Marco Novelli
Eva Lorenza Negri
Carlotta Zunarelli
the Pleural Cancer 2024 Study Group
Francesco Saverio Violante
author_facet Leonardo Scarso
Marco Novelli
Eva Lorenza Negri
Carlotta Zunarelli
the Pleural Cancer 2024 Study Group
Francesco Saverio Violante
author_sort Leonardo Scarso
collection DOAJ
description (1) Background: Occupational exposure to asbestos remains a significant public health concern due to its association with pleural cancer and other cancers. This cohort study examines the incidence of asbestos-related diseases among railway carriage maintenance workers exposed to asbestos between 1960 and 1979 in Bologna, Italy. (2) Methods: A cohort of 2197 male workers was followed from 1960 onwards, with data collected on asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and mortality outcomes. The association of asbestos exposure and smoking with the risk of pleural cancer and lung cancer was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. (3) Results: This study identified a substantial burden of asbestos-related pleural cancer, with an exponential increase in risk over time since the beginning of exposure. Our results suggest the lack of a multiplicative effect of asbestos exposure and smoking on lung cancer risk. The Cox models showed a significant association between smoking and lung cancer risk, with a hazard ratio of 3.26 (95% CI: 1.10–9.64, <i>p</i> = 0.03), less significant for asbestos exposure, with a hazard ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 0.66–3.06). (4) Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the long-term health effects of occupational asbestos exposure and underscores the complex interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in the development of lung cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-1ef51e4325884ccca0c895a11fb8d5d82025-08-20T03:36:12ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-07-01157115510.3390/life15071155Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance WorkersLeonardo Scarso0Marco Novelli1Eva Lorenza Negri2Carlotta Zunarelli3the Pleural Cancer 2024 Study GroupFrancesco Saverio Violante4Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Pelagio Palagi 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Statistical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Belle Arti 41, 40126 Bologna, ItalyOccupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Pelagio Palagi 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyOccupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Pelagio Palagi 9, 40138 Bologna, ItalyOccupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Pelagio Palagi 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy(1) Background: Occupational exposure to asbestos remains a significant public health concern due to its association with pleural cancer and other cancers. This cohort study examines the incidence of asbestos-related diseases among railway carriage maintenance workers exposed to asbestos between 1960 and 1979 in Bologna, Italy. (2) Methods: A cohort of 2197 male workers was followed from 1960 onwards, with data collected on asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and mortality outcomes. The association of asbestos exposure and smoking with the risk of pleural cancer and lung cancer was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. (3) Results: This study identified a substantial burden of asbestos-related pleural cancer, with an exponential increase in risk over time since the beginning of exposure. Our results suggest the lack of a multiplicative effect of asbestos exposure and smoking on lung cancer risk. The Cox models showed a significant association between smoking and lung cancer risk, with a hazard ratio of 3.26 (95% CI: 1.10–9.64, <i>p</i> = 0.03), less significant for asbestos exposure, with a hazard ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 0.66–3.06). (4) Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the long-term health effects of occupational asbestos exposure and underscores the complex interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in the development of lung cancer.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1155asbestoslung cancersmokerailway carriage maintenance workersoccupational exposure
spellingShingle Leonardo Scarso
Marco Novelli
Eva Lorenza Negri
Carlotta Zunarelli
the Pleural Cancer 2024 Study Group
Francesco Saverio Violante
Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
Life
asbestos
lung cancer
smoke
railway carriage maintenance workers
occupational exposure
title Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
title_full Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
title_fullStr Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
title_full_unstemmed Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
title_short Mortality from Pleural and Lung Cancer in Railway Maintenance Workers
title_sort mortality from pleural and lung cancer in railway maintenance workers
topic asbestos
lung cancer
smoke
railway carriage maintenance workers
occupational exposure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1155
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AT carlottazunarelli mortalityfrompleuralandlungcancerinrailwaymaintenanceworkers
AT thepleuralcancer2024studygroup mortalityfrompleuralandlungcancerinrailwaymaintenanceworkers
AT francescosaverioviolante mortalityfrompleuralandlungcancerinrailwaymaintenanceworkers