So What's Going Down With The AZD6244
Approximately 80% of all male mesothelioma mortality occurs among Flemish and Brussels men.12 Based on the 1991 census, we have identified 1?537?805 occupationally active men (18�C65?years) in Flanders and the Brussels Capital Region. Prior to 1 October 2001, 3.5% of these workers emigrated and 3.6% died. Owing to missing occupational information, 30?922 workers could not be classified. The study investigates 72?074 deaths between 1 October 2001 and 31 December 2009, among a cohort of 1?397?699 Flemish and Brussels men with valid occupational information at the time of the 1991 census. Telomerase Classification of high-risk industries The comprehensive character of the census data provides a snapshot of the occupational distribution. Consequently, the risks of persons who have been at least potentially exposed to asbestos can be compared with all other occupational groups. Information about exposure circumstances is not available. Because of the widespread use of asbestos fibres in Belgium, careful consideration is required to distinguish occupational asbestos exposure from environmental or secondary exposure. We have combined the distribution of mesothelioma deaths in Belgian industries with an extensive literature review to determine the industries most at risk of asbestos-related health effects. Malignant mesothelioma mortality was used as a marker for asbestos exposure (Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases, ICD-10 C45). This highly fatal cancer develops in the protective linings of the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and heart, and is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Even low levels of asbestos exposure can induce malignant mesothelioma.13 Industrial sectors with at least three mesothelioma deaths during the period 2001�C2009 were selected using the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE). We have cross-referenced these findings with the published literature. An extensive review of international and national studies on occupational asbestos exposure was conducted to ascertain at least potential asbestos use in these industries. Databases PubMed and Unicat (Union Catalogue of Belgian Libraries) have been examined. Keywords included ��occupation*��, ��industr*��, ��asbestos��, ��health��, ��mortality��, ��Belg*��. Additional searches were conducted using the names of the selected industries. Only peer-reviewed articles and government documents were considered. We have made no restrictions in time or language. If industrial asbestos use was established in at least one of the studies, the industry was included in further analyses. Finally, industries with at least three mesothelioma deaths in the period 2001�C2009 and with conclusive evidence of asbestos use were considered as high-risk industries. Three broad categories can be distinguished.