摘要：The purpose of the present paper is to review the origin and development of the epidemiologyof mesothelioma in Italy, starting with the detection and investigation of the majoroutbreak of the disease observed in Casale Monferrato, Piedmont Region. Over the lastfour decades, mortality among the cohort of ex-Eternit workers has been measured atthree points in time. More recently, population based case-control studies in the area ofCasale Monferrato have provided new light on the dose-response curve of the relationshipbetween asbestos exposure and mesotheliomas. The publication of the first CasaleMonferrato study had a major impact in the country and contributed to the decision ofthe Italian Parliament to ban the use of asbestos. The experience of Casale Monferratorepresents a lesson in several terms, from the epidemiological surveillance to the healthcare of the victims and the relationship between epidemiologists, victims, their relativesand residents in contaminated areas.
