Asbestos cement and cancer risk among production and service workers and their spouses and children
The project is a 70-year follow-up of workers and spouses/children of workers at Norway's only asbestos cement factory, which was in operation from around 1945-1981.
About the project
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Project period: 01.01.2020 - 31.10.2024 (Active)
- Coordinating Institution: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Project Manager:
- Kristina Kjærheim, Folkehelseinstituttet
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Project Participants:
- Jan Ivar Martinsen, Kreftregisteret - Institutt for populasjonsbasert kreftforskning
- Bente Ulvestad, Statens arbeidsmiljøinstitutt
- Karl-Christian Nordby, Statens arbeidsmiljøinstitutt
Summary
The project is a 70-year follow-up of workers and spouses/children of workers at Norway's only asbestos cement factory, which was in operation from around 1945-1981. It is well established that asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and a number of other cancers. We will compare the cancer risk in the mentioned groups with the occurrence in the general population, and if possible, make comparisons between highly and lowly exposed individuals. The long follow-up period will provide new information about risk long after exposure has ceased. Inclusion of spouses and children, as well as short-term employees, will provide important information about the risk among low-exposure groups. This is of interest as asbestos is still found in older buildings and constructions and therefore remains an environmental risk to consider.