Relationship between the Asbestos Cumulative Exposure Index (ACEI) and the Latency Period of Asbestos Related Diseases (ARD) within an Italian Study Group of Ex-Asbestos Workers

Objectives: The association between asbestos exposure, measured by mean of Asbestos Cumulative Exposure\udIndex (ACEI) and the latency period of non-malignant asbestos-related diseases (ARD) diagnosed according to the\udAmerican Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria was studied.\udMethods: 306 exposed asbestos workers in Bari, Italy, were included in a health surveillance program. By means\udof a standardized questionnaire we assessed asbestos exposure through ACEI. Latency period of Asbestos Related\udDiseases (ARD) was also assessed.\udResults: We found a significant inverse correlation between latency and ACEI increasing with ARD severity.\udACEI and 30-35 years of age at time of first exposure were inversely associated with the latency period. The risk of\udARD increased from baseline to the 2nd follow-up and among subjects exposed for the first time before 1960.\udConclusions: The most important factors that caused a reduction in the latency period were the year of first\udexposure and the ACEI score while smoking habits did not show to play a significant role