[The diffusion of information on the carcinogenicity of asbestos in the Italian scientific community before 1965].

The spreading of information on asbestos carcinogenicity within the Italian scientific community before 1965. The paper deals with the development of recognition of asbestos carcinogenicity within the Italian scientific community. This development was difficult in Italy as in other countries. Articles and other papers in handbooks and congress proceedings, by Italian authors, published in the period 1934-1965, were considered. The first cases of lung cancer in Italian workers exposed to asbestos were observed in 1955-56, the first cases of malignant mesothelioma in 1965. The cases observed were very few, but knowledge on asbestos carcinogenicity became widespread within the Italian scientific community during the fifties (from 1953 on wards) with the publication of several handbooks of occupational medicine.