Abstract
Asbestos is harmful to human health; exposure to asbestos causes a wide range of asbestos-related diseases. Aim: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is unique to occupational and environmental asbestos exposure. Methods: Environmental asbestos exposure was examined in relation to asbestos use and manufacturing, the quantity of the asbestos-containing products still in use, the concentrations of asbestos fibres in the air and the number of MM cases diagnosed each year per county. Results: The correlation coefficient of the measurements of the asbestos fibre concentrations in the air and the quantity of asbestos-cement products in use is high and amounts to 0.68. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient of the measurements of asbestos fibre concentrations in air and MM morbidity rate resulting from environmental exposure calculated for particular counties in provinces is low and amounts to 0.37. The highest MM morbidity rate was observed for Małopolskie and Śląskie, a typical industrial area of Poland. Conclusions: There are MM cases which are still attributable to occupational asbestos exposure, although MM cases resulting from environmental exposure to asbestos have an increased MM risk. Poland is among those countries with a low MM incidence rate, which seems to be an underestimation of environmental asbestos exposure. As long as asbestos-cement products are used in the environment, actions should be undertaken to protect public health.
Highlights
The term “asbestos” refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous serpentine or amphibole minerals [1]
As long as asbestos-cement products are used in the environment, actions should be undertaken to protect public health
This paper aims to present the current situation on possible sources of asbestos environmental exposure in counties, which are the lowest level of the administrative division in Poland
Summary
The term “asbestos” refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous serpentine or amphibole minerals [1]. Chrysotile was used mainly in the asbestos-cement construction industry, and asbestos-containing products were manufactured in 28 plants, of which 10 produced asbestos-cement products [19]. Asbestos-cement flat and corrugated sheets were used for roof coverings; pressed, flat, cladding, and panels were used as facades of multi-family buildings [20]. During the period from 1950 to 1998, 1391 million m2 of asbestos-cement products were manufactured in Poland, i.e., approximately 15.3 million tons. The peak production period was in the 1970s, when more than 50 million m2 of corrugated and flat sheets used in construction were produced annually [19]
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