Lung cancer mortality in relation to measured dust levels in an asbestos textile factory.

A cohort of 255 men who entered this factory since the beginning of 1951, when routine dust sampling weas initiated, have been followed up to the end of 1978. Eight (1.62 expected) died of lung cancer over 20 years after first exposure (P less than 0.001). Earlier estimates of dust levels hve been revised to correspond to modern counting methods, and the average cumulative exposure of this cohort is now estimated to have been 200-300 fibres/ml-years. No deaths have yet been attributed to asbestosis, but a separate study of this group has reported that 10 of these men have been certified as asbestotic. An earlier analysis of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis incidence in men employed prior to 1951 suggested a dose-response relationship for lung cancer in relation to static sampler dust measurements that was probably approximately correct, but it is not clear whether personal sampling wound give similar results.