ASBESTOSIS

Background

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. Exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis can develop many decades after exposure to asbestos.

Risk factors

- Asbestos fibres (all types) [1]

Construction workers, such as insulators, electricians, and plumbers are several occupations that have experienced high rates of this condition. Metal workers and platers and boilermakers are also at an increased risk of asbestosis.

Key Findings

The greatest risks of asbestosis were observed among workers employed in construction and some manufacturing industries.

Construction

Asbestos-containing materials, particular insulation, were widely used in pre-1990 construction in Canada, and is still present in many older homes and buildings [2]. Insulators, plumbers, electricians, and other construction trades workers may frequently handle or work near asbestos-containing materials during building maintenance and renovation.

- Construction trades occupations: 3.50 times the risk
  - Insulators: 25.4 times the risk
  - Pipefitters and plumbers: 8.36 times the risk
  - Plasterers and related: 5.38 times the risk
  - Brick and stone masons and tile setters: 3.76 times the risk
  - Electricians and repairers: 3.35 times the risk
  - Carpenters and related: 2.05 times the risk

Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing

The non-metallic mineral products industry includes establishments engaged in manufacturing clay, cement and concrete, glass and glass products, and historically, asbestos and vermiculite products. The latter manufacturers are captured in the miscellaneous non-metallic mineral products industries, where the highest asbestosis risk was observed.

- Non-metallic mineral products industries: 2.14 times the risk
  - Miscellaneous non-metallic mineral products: 7.56 times the risk

Metal-related industries and occupations

Asbestos was commonly used as an insulating material in some hot metalworking processes [3]. Primary metal industry workers may operate furnaces and other heating apparatuses insulated with asbestos. When these materials are disturbed or degrade, asbestos fibres can be released into the air.

- Boilermakers, platers and structural metal workers: 9.96 times risk
- Sheet metal workers: 2.44 times the risk
- Primary metal industries: 2.34 times the risk
  - Iron and steel mills: 2.77 times the risk

Mechanics and repairers except electrical

Mechanics work on maintenance and repair of machinery and vehicles, which often involves removing parts for cleaning or replacement. Asbestos was widely used in auto parts, such as brake pads, clutches, and hoodliners, and may be present in older vehicles and machinery [4,5].

- Industrial, farm and construction machinery mechanics and repairers: 1.52 times the risk

Relative Risk by Industry and Occupation

Figure 1. Risk of asbestosis diagnosis among workers employed in each industry group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2016

The hazard ratio is an estimate of the average time to diagnosis among workers in each industry/occupation group divided by that in all others during the study period. Hazard ratios above 1.00 indicate a greater risk of disease in a given group compared to all others. Estimates are adjusted for birth year and sex. The width of the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) is based on the number of cases in each group (more cases narrows the interval).

Figure 2. Risk of asbestosis diagnosis among workers employed in each occupation group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2016

Table of Results

Table 1. Surveillance of Asbestosis: Number of cases, workers employed, and hazard ratios in each industry (SIC)

SIC Code *	Industry Group	Number of cases	Number of workers employed	Hazard Ratio (95% CI) †
1	Agriculture	<5	27,818	—
2/3	Forestry, Fishing and Trapping	0	7,857	—
4	Mines, Quarries and Oil Wells	13	18,210	0.99 (0.57-1.72)
5	Manufacturing	243	565,700	0.95 (0.81-1.11)
6	Construction	153	175,617	2.35 (1.95-2.82)
7	Transportation, Communication and Other Utilities	66	165,930	0.94 (0.73-1.21)
8	Trade	52	357,376	0.46 (0.35-0.62)
9	Finance, Insurance and Real Estate	11	19,414	1.28 (0.70-2.32)
10	Community, Business and Personal Service	98	483,986	0.86 (0.69-1.07)
11	Public Administration and Defense	63	157,922	0.95 (0.73-1.23)

* SIC: Standard Industrial Classification (1970)
† Hazard ratio in each group relative to all others

Table 2. Surveillance of Asbestosis: Number of cases, workers employed, and hazard ratios in each occupation (CCDO) group

CCDO Code *	Occupation Group	Number of cases	Number of workers employed	Hazard Ratio (95% CI) †
11	Managerial, administrative and related	5	26,772	0.61 (0.25-1.48)
21	Natural sciences, engineering and mathematics	8	22,785	0.92 (0.46-1.84)
23	Social sciences and related fields	5	24,939	1.56 (0.64-3.77)
25	Religion	0	113	—
27	Teaching and related	8	41,692	1.03 (0.51-2.09)
31	Medicine and health	10	108,759	0.66 (0.35-1.26)
33	Artistic, literary, recreational and related	<5	12,729	—
41	Clerical and related	23	162,132	0.51 (0.34-0.77)
51	Sales	22	123,283	0.86 (0.56-1.31)
61	Service	62	298,287	0.66 (0.51-0.86)
71	Farming, horticultural and animal husbandry	5	40,974	0.39 (0.16-0.93)
73	Fishing, hunting, trapping and related	0	463	—
75	Forestry and logging	0	7,730	—
77	Mining and quarrying, including oil and gas field	6	10,079	0.86 (0.39-1.93)
81	Processing (mineral, metal, chemical)	37	67,239	1.45 (1.04-2.02)
82	Processing (food, wood, textile)	18	81,535	0.65 (0.41-1.04)
83	Machining and related	76	161,878	0.99 (0.78-1.26)
85	Product fabricating, assembling and repairing	107	276,755	0.84 (0.69-1.04)
87	Construction trades	230	181,331	3.50 (2.97-4.13)
91	Transport equipment operating	40	143,836	0.58 (0.42-0.79)
93	Materials handling and related, not elsewhere classified	19	128,517	0.40 (0.25-0.63)
95	Other crafts and equipment operating	10	23,406	0.91 (0.49-1.69)
99	Other occupations not elsewhere classified	55	180,646	0.81 (0.62-1.07)

* CCDO: Canadian Classification Dictionary of Occupations (1971)
† Hazard ratio in each group relative to all others

Time Trends

Figure 1. Crude incidence rate of asbestosis among males in the ODSS, 2000-2014 (n=1.76 million)

The crude incidence rate is the number of cases of disease diagnosed per person per year of follow-up in the ODSS cohort. The age-standardized incidence rate is the rate we would observe if we removed the influence of aging in the cohort over time. The general population of males in Ontario in 1995 was used as the standard. All rates are expressed per 100,000 persons per year.

Figure 2. Age-standardized incidence rate of asbestosis among males in the ODSS, 2000-2014 (n=1.76 million)

Please note that ODSS results shown here may differ from those previously published or presented. This may occur due to changes in case definitions, methodological approaches, and the ongoing nature of the surveillance cohort.

References

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Vol. 100C (2012).
Government of Canada. Asbestos (Updated 2020).
Williams PRD, Phelka AD, Paustenbach DJ. A review of historical exposures to asbestos among skilled craftsmen (1940-2006). J Toxicol Environ Heal – Part B Crit Rev. 2007;10(5):319–77.
Paustenbach DJ, Finley BL, Lu ET, Brorby GP, Sheehan PJ. Environmental and occupational health hazards associated with the presence of asbestos in brake linings and pads (1900 to present): A “state-of-the-art” review. J Toxicol Environ Heal – Part B Crit Rev. 2004;7(1):25–80.
Jiang GCT, Madl AK, Ingmundson KJ, Murbach DM, Fehling KA, Paustenbach DJ, et al. A study of airborne chrysotile concentrations associated with handling, unpacking, and repacking boxes of automobile clutch discs. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008;51(1):87–97.