[Assessment of risk of mesothelioma: the case of an asbestos-cement production plant in the city of Bari].

OBJECTIVE

In this paper, by means of explorative methods based on geographical analysis, the relationship between the presence of an asbestos-cement factory in the urban area of Bari and malignant mesothelioma cases, occurring between 1980 and 2001 among residents, is analysed.

METHODS

The data source of the 64 cases studied is the national register of mesotheliomas (Renam), the Apulia regional operating centre (Cor-Puglia). Data are analysed by the use of the S + SpatialStats software.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Both individual data analysis and explorative geographic analysis point out an increased risk of disease among people living near the asbestos-cement factory: within an area centred on the location of plants and having a radius of about 1 Km, the estimated risk is 2.38 times above the normal level. Further analytical studies are required.