Response to: 'Pleural mesothelioma and occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure: a case-control study with quantitative risk assessment by Ferrante et al

We read with interest the 2016 paper by Ferrante et al,1 who evaluated the relationship between occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposures and the risk of pleural malignant mesothelioma (PMM) among workers and residents in the Casale Monferrato area of Italy, the site of a former asbestos cement factory. We also read the subsequent letter from Boffetta,2 who identified many problematic methodological issues with the Ferrante et al1 study, most notably: limited detail regarding exposure estimation methods, lack of reproducibility, inconsistencies in findings and potential study biases. In a response, Ferrante et al3 challenged but did not resolve all issues raised by Boffetta.2 For example, Ferrante et al3 countered Boffetta's2 criticism about limited exposure estimation detail by citing a paper not referenced in their original publication.1 Furthermore, Ferrante et al failed to reconcile their anomalous...

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