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Background Occupational exposure to asbestos, widely used in various industries for decades, is the most important risk factor for pleural mesothelioma. We report here the ranking of occupations and industries in France at high risk for this cancer among men and women. Methods A population-based case–control study, conducted from 1998 to 2002, included 462 cases (80.3% men) and 897 controls. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each occupation and industry; subjects never employed in each category were the reference. Results For men, risks were high for several occupations and industries. Besides the expected high risks for non-metallic mineral product makers and manufacturing asbestos products, occupations such as plumbers (OR ¼ 5.57, 95% CI: 2.90–10.69), sheet-metal workers, welders, metal molders, coremakers, and cabinetmakers were also at high risk. Elevated risks were found in the industries of shipbuilding (OR ¼ 9.13, 95% CI: 5.20– 16.06) and construction, but also in the manufacturing of metal products, chemicals, and railroad and aircraft equipment. The results for women showed increased but not significant risks in several occupational activities. Conclusions This report provides new insight into the epidemiology of mesothelioma, confirming risks for occupational activities reported earlier and pointing out risks in activities never previously reported. It offers guidance to authorities for the compensation of asbestos victims and for prevention in at-risk activities still involving asbestoscontaining products. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1207–1219, 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background More than 80% of mesothelioma cases in men are attributable to occupational asbestos exposure compared to only 40% in women. The objective of the study was to characterize a series of female pleural mesotheliomas according to known and suspected risk factors. Methods From the exhaustive recording of 318 female mesothelioma cases in the French National Mesothelioma Surveillance Program between 1998 and 2009, multiple correspondence analysis and hybrid clustering were performed to characterize these cases according to expert assessed occupational and non-occupational exposure to asbestos and man-made vitreous fibers, X-ray exposure, and history of cancer and non-malignant respiratory diseases. Results Four clusters were identified: (1) occupational exposure to asbestos and man-made vitreous fibers (7.9% of subjects); (2) radiation exposure during radiotherapy (12.9%); (3) increased asbestos exposure (19.8%); and (4) “non-exposure” characteristics (59.4%). Conclusion These results will allow hypotheses to be generated about associations between mesothelioma and non-occupational asbestos exposure, X-ray exposure and history of respiratory disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1307–1316, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background The aim of this study was to determine the rates of compensation awarded to patients presenting with pleural mesothelioma and factors linked to such compensation in France. Methods The study population consisted of 2,407 patients presenting with pleural mesothelioma, recorded by the National Mesothelioma Surveillance Programme between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2009. Analysis of claims for recognition as “occupational disease” (OD) and claims for compensation by the Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims (FIVA) were analyzed. Results Approximately 30% of subjects presenting with pleural mesothelioma, affiliated to the General National Health Insurance fund, neither sought recognition as an OD nor claimed for FIVA compensation. Gender, age at diagnosis, type of health insurance, and socio-professional category influence the likelihood of patients presenting with mesothelioma seeking compensation for this disease. Conclusions Results show an under-compensation of pleural mesothelioma as OD and by the FIVA in France. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:146–154, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.