The role of polio-vaccine in pleural mesothelioma--an epidemiological observation.

From the Croatian Cancer Registry (period 1991-1997) 194 malignant pleural mesothelioma patients were collected. According to participation in polio vaccination mass campaign in 1961 that covered the entire Croatian population aged 3 months to 20 years, mesothelioma patients were divided in vaccinated (N=58), and non-vaccinated (N=136) subjects. Significantly higher percentage of those with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos was found in vaccinated (79%) compared to non-vaccinated group (63%).

Incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in coastal and continental Croatia: epidemiological study.

Aim: To evaluate the actual incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Croatia, geographical distribution of the disease, and relevance of occupation and some other characteristics of diseased subjects.

Method: Data on the incidence of pleural mesothelioma over a seven-year period (1991-1997) were collected from the Croatian Cancer Registry. In each case, the tumor diagnosis was histologically verified.

[Cancer of the respiratory organs with respect to environmental and life style factors in the areas of Split, Solina and Kastela] Citation].

This investigation focused on Split and the industrial area of the Solin-Kastela bay, as it has been known for cement production for over 130 years, and for asbestos cement production for some 80 years. Environmental factors (air pollution) and lifestyle (cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption) were investigated in persons who died of cancer of respiratory organs. The aim was to see what is the combined effect of several noxious factors and how it may increase the risk of cancer of the respiratory organs.

Hygienic conditions in elementary and secondary schools in the county of Split-Dalmatia.

This paper gives an assessment of hygienic conditions found in 22 primary and 12 secondary schools in the city of Split during the school year 1990/91. The data were compared with the results of a similar investigation carried out in eight primary schools in the neighbouring Sinj area. The assessment consisted of the examination of the facilities, questionnaires, and microbiological analysis of numerous samples.