Colorectal cancer in asbestos cement workers in Denmark

Recent data on the risk of colorectal cancer following exposure to chrysotile are conflicting. We report on colorectal cancer morbidity in a large cohort of asbestos cement workers from Denmark mainly exposed to chrysotile. The total cohort had an SIR of 1.23 (95% CI 1.01-1.48). With a latency period of 15 years, men employed in the early (1928-1950) production period had an SIR of 1.47 (95% CI 1.05-2.01). With the observation of excess risks of colorectal cancer morbidity among chrysotile exposed asbestos cement workers in both Sweden and Denmark, the question on the role of chrysotile in the etiology of colorectal cancer remains open.