UK asbestos imports and mortality due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that the rising mortality due to mesothelioma and asbestosis can be predicted from historic asbestos usage. Mortality due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is also rising, without any apparent explanation.

Aims

To compare mortality due to these conditions and examine the relationship between mortality and national asbestos imports.

Methods

Mortality data for IPF and asbestosis in England and Wales were available from the Office for National Statistics. Data for mesothelioma deaths in England and Wales and historic UK asbestos import data were available from the Health & Safety Executive. The numbers of annual deaths due to each condition were plotted separately by gender, against UK asbestos imports 48 years earlier.

SUBMITTER: Barber CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4757753 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature