Asbestos Industry Research Articles

Diversification of chrysotile asbestos industry using resource-saving technologies: Risks and economic development of chrysotile mining and processing

Diversification of chrysotile asbestos industry using resource-saving technologies: Risks and economic development of chrysotile mining and processing

Occupational and Environmental Asbestos Exposure and Survival of Patients with Asbestos-Related Cancer: A Follow-Up Study on Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer in Korea.

Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are typically associated with a poor prognosis. However, it has been observed that some patients with these cancers survive significantly longer than the average survival period. While many preliminary studies have investigated factors influencing patient survival, the specific impact of asbestos exposure has not been thoroughly explored. We followed up with 546 patients with malignant mesothelioma and 902 patients with asbestos-related lung cancer, all identified as asbestos victims between 2009 and 2021. In both malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, patients with occupational asbestos exposure exhibited not only shorter median survival times but also lower 3- and 5-year survival rates compared to those with environmental exposure. Additionally, a longer duration of occupational exposure and closer proximity to the source of asbestos were linked to shorter survival times and lower survival rates. Among the patients with occupational asbestos exposure, the highest hazard ratios (HRs) were observed in those who worked in the production of asbestos-containing products across both cancer types. In contrast, significant HRs were only noted in mesothelioma patients who lived near asbestos industries, slate houses, and redevelopment areas, within the environmentally exposed group.

An Approach to Overcome the Limitations of Surveillance of Asbestos Related Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What We Learned from the Sibaté Study in Colombia.

The asbestos industry began its operations in Colombia in 1942 with the establishment of an asbestos-cement facility in Sibaté, located in the Department of Cundinamarca. Despite extensive asbestos use and production in Colombia, the country lacks a reliable epidemiological surveillance system to monitor the health effects of asbestos exposure. The Colombian health information system, known as SISPRO, did not report mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the municipality, posing a significant challenge in understanding the health impacts of asbestos exposure on the population of Sibaté. To address this issue, an active surveillance strategy was implemented in Sibaté. This strategy involved conducting door-to-door health and socioeconomic structured interviews to identify Asbestos-Related Diseases (ARDs). Validation strategies included a thorough review of medical records by a panel of physicians, and the findings were communicated to local, regional, and national authorities, as well as the general population. The active surveillance strategy successfully identified a mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté, revealing the inadequacy of the existing health information system in monitoring asbestos-related diseases. The discovery of this cluster underscores the critical importance of implementing active surveillance strategies in Colombia, where governmental institutions and resources are often limited. The findings of this study emphasize the urgent need for Colombia to establish a reliable epidemiological surveillance system for asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). Active surveillance strategies can play a crucial role in identifying mesothelioma clusters and enhancing our understanding of the health effects of asbestos exposure in low- and middle-income countries.

Separation of asbestos concentrates in a hydrocyclone

Relevance. Issues related to the operation of hydrocyclones in the asbestos industry for the separation of finely split asbestos fibers from rock impurities and non-fluffed asbestos needles used in the wet enrichment of brittle chrysotile asbestos, as well as some types of amphibole asbestos and in the purification of commercial grades of chrysotile asbestos of normal strength from magnetite are considered. Purpose. The purpose and objectives of the research is to study the operating modes of a hydrocyclone for the separation and desliming of asbestos products. Particular attention is paid to the behavior of particles inside the hydrocyclone. Methodology. The formulas presented in the literature for calculating the volumetric delivery of hydro-cyclones are analyzed. As a result, it was determined that the volumetric delivery of the hydrocyclone does not depend on the size of the sand nozzle and that the influence of the latter affects mainly the specific distribution of water between the discharge and sand products. Results. In the course of processing the obtained experimental data, the calculation results showed that, at different nozzles and feed heads, the movement of grains of separation mesh in the internal flow of hydrocyclones of the tested design occurs within 1 < Re < 20. Therefore, the accepted dependences of Ψ on Re when deriving the calculated formulas are correct. Conclusions. The volumetric delivery of hydrocyclones D = 75 mm and D = 200 mm of the tested design for feeding and draining depends on the feed head and the diameter of the framework nozzle. The established regularities in the behavior of particles of asbestos concentrates in hydrocyclones are of practical importance and can be used when choosing the technological parameters of their operation to achieve the specified conditions for the size of particle separation mesh.

The case of David vs. Goliath. On legal ethics and corporate lawyering in large-scale liability cases

ABSTRACT A classic avenue that victims can take to hold a corporation to account and obtain redress for the harms they have suffered is civil litigation. In the past decades, such attempts have been pursued against corporations in the tobacco industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the asbestos industry or industries working with asbestos and, more recently, the extractive industries. However, it is notoriously difficult for victims whose rights have been violated by corporations to obtain effective redress in civil procedures. A rich body of burgeoning scholarly literature and policy documents has addressed the extent to which systematic and institutional factors are obstacles to victims seeking justice for corporate misconduct. In this article, we will not focus on these systemic and institutional factors but on the role of corporate defence lawyers as their functioning also impacts the capacity of victims of corporate wrongdoing to effectuate their rights. We will address the question of what can be expected from a legal-ethical point of view from corporate defence lawyers advising and representing their corporate clients in large-scale civil liability cases. As a partial answer, we will develop a critique of amoral lawyering as a working philosophy in this context. In addition, we will touch upon the feasibility of a possible alternative.

Pleural mesothelioma risk by industry and occupation: results from the Multicentre Italian Study on the Etiology of Mesothelioma (MISEM)

BackgroundThe Italian mesothelioma registry (ReNaM) estimates mesothelioma incidence and addresses its etiology by assessing cases’ exposures but cannot provide relative risk estimates.Objectivesi) To estimate pleural mesothelioma relative risk by industry and occupation and by ReNaM categories of asbestos exposure; and ii) to provide quantitative estimates of the exposure–response relationship.MethodsA population-based mesothelioma case–control study was conducted in 2012–2014 in five Italian regions. Cases and age and gender frequency-matched controls were interviewed using a standard ReNaM questionnaire. Experts coded work histories according to international standard classifications of industries/occupations and assigned asbestos exposure according to ReNaM categories. Job codes were further linked to SYN-JEM, a quantitative job-exposure matrix. Cumulative exposure (CE, f/mL-years) was computed by summing individual exposures over lifetime work history. Unconditional logistic regression analyses adjusted by gender, centre and age were fitted to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsAmong men we observed increased risks of mesothelioma in many industries and associated occupations, including: asbestos-cement (OR = 3.43), manufacture of railroad equipment (OR = 8.07), shipbuilding and repairing (OR = 2.34), iron and steel mills (OR = 2.15), and construction (OR = 1.94). ORs by ReNaM exposure categories were as follows: definite/probable occupational exposure (OR = 15.8, men; OR = 8.80, women), possible occupational (OR = 2.82, men; OR = 3.70, women), sharing home with an exposed worker (OR = 2.55, men; OR = 10.3, women), residential (OR = 2.14, men; OR = 3.24, women). Based on SYN-JEM, mesothelioma risk increased by almost 30% per f/mL-year (OR = 1.28, CI 1.16–1.42).ConclusionsOut study involved five regions with historically different types and levels of industrial development, encompassing one third of the Italian population and half of Italian mesothelioma cases. As expected, we found increased pleural mesothelioma risk in the asbestos industry and in trades with large consumption of asbestos materials. Clear associations were found using both qualitative (ReNaM classifications) and quantitative estimates (using SYN-JEM) of past asbestos exposure, with clear evidence of an exposure–response relationship.

Experimental Investigation of Flexible Pavement Using Shingles

Abstract: Huge volumes of Shingles are produced from building construction and Asbestos industries. Basically, waste Shingles Aggregates (WSA) are being produced by crushing Shingles during the process of transport and installation of roof, wall and floor. Present society are progressively moving forward to be more environment friendly. To meet up this purposes, recycling and reuse of this material can be the best alternatives than landfill disposal in respect of environment conservation and economy. To increase the usage of Shingles in pavement construction, different percentage of Shingles can be used with the natural aggregate. The technical flexibility of using waste Shingles aggregates as partial replacement of natural aggregates in bituminous mixes can be evaluated. This research work presents some of the laboratory investigation on the possible application of waste Shingles aggregates in bituminous mixes. The physical properties of coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, filler and bitumen are determined according to standard test. Marshall test specimens are prepared for testing to measure the Marshall properties. at optimum bitumen respectively are determined. According to AASHTO, Marshall stability test properties of mixes of waste shingles aggregates are satisfactory. investigated results indicate that the bituminous mixes with waste shingles aggregates give satisfactory results for construction of medium traffic road Keywords: Waste Shingles Aggregates, Marshall Mix Design, Flexible Pavement Construction

Meta-Analysis of the Association between Asbestos Exposure and Esophageal Cancer.

Background: We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively assess the association between asbestos exposure and esophageal cancer. Methods: We systematically collected articles from three electronic databases and calculated the pooled standardized mortality rate (SMR) from the meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis according to the type of asbestos exposure, follow-up years, sample size, industry classification, sex, and high-dose exposure was conducted. Results: From 242 studies, 34 cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled SMR was positively associated with asbestos exposure and esophageal cancer (pooled SMR = 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–1.38, p < 0.00001). In the subgroup analysis, (1) chrysolite, (2) four groups with follow-up over ten years, (3) the textile industry and shipyard, (4) both male and female, and (5) eight studies on highest asbestos exposure, all the subgroups showed significantly increased pooled SMRs. Conclusion: Asbestos exposure was significantly and positively associated with esophageal cancer, especially chrysolite. Considering the long latency period, we suggest that patients should be followed up for cancer, including esophageal cancer, for over ten years.

Morris Greenberg: occupational health specialist on a lifelong quest to make the world asbestos free

In 1967 a young doctor, Morris Greenberg, noted that every surface in a London factory was covered in white asbestos dust. Workers without face masks were brushing the floor, churning...

Observations on the asbestos industry : Perceptions of decline and a view to move forward

The history of asbestos spans well over the 100 years that we are commonly aware of. It is known to be one of the most devastating workplace killers, with figures released by the HSE demonstrating a current trend of approximately 5,000 deaths annually attributed to diseases developed by exposure to asbestos fibres. In this paper we summarise some of that history and look at how the industry has stagnated over the past decade with little development in regulation or work practices, suggesting that the industry is in decline. This paper makes commentary on the position of the industry in the current economic climate and proposes change to attitudes and understanding to ensure the risk to human health posed by asbestos continues to be reduced and quality of service delivery improved.

Transnational Hazard: A History of Asbestos in South Korea, 1938-1993

How do hazardous industries move around the world? Hazardous industries, those that deal with toxic materials or significantly pollute the surrounding environment, have a history of relocating to so-called pollution havens. This paper examines a history of asbestos in South Korea that begins in 1938 when the largest asbestos mine in East Asia started operation and ends in 1993 when an asbestos textile factory worker was recognized as the first occupational cancer case. It highlights how global political and economic regimes introduced, supported, and depended on the asbestos industry. Towards the end of Japanese Colonialism, asbestos mines were developed in the peninsula to support the increasing need in the archipelago. After the Second World War, U.S. foreign aids supported asbestos manufacturing, together with the areas deemed foundational to industrial rehabilitation and self-reliance. Pushing for the modernization of landscapes, and industrialization of the economy, the South Korean government in the 1960s and the 1970s actively promoted foreign investments in the asbestos industry. This paper pays attention to the movements of things, people, and knowledge between borders in following asbestos dust from the present to the past. This paper illuminates how political economic interests intervene in a slowly and steadily progressing disaster by engaging this history of asbestos with today''s occupational and environmental health problems.

Asbestos in High-Risk Communities: Public Health Implications.

Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs)—mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis—are well known as occupational diseases. As industrial asbestos use is eliminated, ARDs within the general community from para-occupational, environmental, and natural exposures are more prominent. ARD clusters have been studied in communities including Broni, Italy; Libby, Montana; Wittenoom, Western Australia; Karain, Turkey; Ambler, Pennsylvania; and elsewhere. Community ARDs pose specific public health issues and challenges. Community exposure results in higher proportions of mesothelioma in women and a younger age distribution than occupational exposures. Exposure amount, age at exposure, fiber type, and genetic predisposition influence ARD expression; vulnerable groups include those with social and behavioral risk, exposure to extreme events, and genetic predispositions. To address community exposure, regulations should address all carcinogenic elongated mineral fibers. Banning asbestos mining, use, and importation will not reduce risks from asbestos already in place. Residents of high-risk communities are characteristically exposed through several pathways differing among communities. Administrative responsibility for controlling environmental exposures is more diffuse than for workplaces, complicated by diverse community attitudes to risk and prevention and legal complexity. The National Mesothelioma Registries help track the identification of communities at risk. High-risk communities need enhanced services for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and social and psychological support, including for retired asbestos workers. Legal settlements could help fund community programs. A focus on prevention, public health programs, particularization to specific community needs, and participation is recommended.

Asbestos-related diseases.

Knowledge of asbestos-related diseases has been accumulating for over one hundred years as the industrial value of asbestos was recognised for the strength of its fibres and their resistance to destruction, resulting in increasing production and use until the multiple health effects have become apparent. Deposition in the lung parenchyma results in an inflammatory/progressively fibrotic response, with impaired gas exchange and reduced lung compliance ('asbestosis'), causing progressive dyspnoea and respiratory failure for which only palliation is indicated, although anti-fibrotic agents used for idiopathic usual interstitial pneumonitis remain to be evaluated. Benign pleural effusion, diffuse pleural fibrosis (occasionally with associated rolled atelectasis) and pleural plaques are the non-malignant pleural diseases that result from fibres reaching the pleura. But the main issues that led to the ban on asbestos in industry are those of malignancy: lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma (MM) of the pleura and MM of the peritoneum. Bronchogenic carcinoma risk from asbestos exposure is dose-dependent and multiplies the risk attributable to tobacco smoking. The principles of treatment are as for all cases of lung cancer. Low-dose computed tomography screening of exposed people can detect early-stage, non-small cell cancers, with improved survival. The amphibole varieties of asbestos are much more potent causes of MM than chrysotile, and the risk increases exponentially for 40-50 years following first exposure. As MM is non-resectable and poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, curative treatment is not possible and screening not justified.

CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH OCCUPATIONAL LUNG FIBROSIS IN EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO THE DUST AT THE WORKPLACE

Introduction. The attribution of certain medical conditions in industrial workers to hazardous exposures at the workplace remains a challenging issue of occupational health. Material and methods. In order to identify cardiovascular conditions associated with occupational lung diseases in workers exposed to fibrogenic dust, we conducted a medical check-up examination of individuals employed in refractory production and asbestos industry. The main group consisted of the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lung fibrosis (asbestosis, silicosis); the reference group was age- and tenure-matched workers without occupational fibrosis. Results. We established a significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, sinus tachycardia, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and impaired fasting glycemia in workers with silicosis and asbestosis if compared to those without work-related diseases. Based on the relative risk and attributable fraction estimates, we assume there is moderate occupational causation for arterial hypertension and a strong one for left ventricular hypertrophy, sinus tachycardia, and obesity. Very strong causation was found between occupational exposure to fibrogenic dust and carbohydrate metabolism disorders. High-stage hypertension, dyslipidemia and left ventricular hypertrophy were found to have a statistically significant impact on the timing of silicosis. Whereas high-stage hypertension, coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy and obesity were found to impact the timing of asbestosis. Conclusion. Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders are statistically more occurrent in workers with silicosis or asbestosis. Therefore, the disease can be regarded as work-related. We established cardiovascular and metabolic disorders to have a statistically significant impact on the timing of silicosis and asbestosis. Therefore, a timely CVD prophylaxis could reduce the risk of occupational lung fibrosis in workers exposed to fibrogenic dust.

Martinite: An Alternative to Asbestos Insulation Available Since the Nineteenth Century.

The asbestos industry has always claimed that asbestos is a 'magic mineral', which is not replaceable. New findings, however, contradict this because asbestos-free alternatives, with excellent insulating properties, have been available since the end of the nineteenth century. The aim of this current research is to gather evidence of the potential of 'Martinite' to replace asbestos. We identified references to 'Martinite' in documents and brochures pertaining to insulation of ships, dating back as far as possible by acquiring recent interviews, utilizing records in public libraries and in archives, and conducting web searches. Martinite was produced by a small company called 'Manifatture Martiny', founded at the end of the nineteenth century in Turin, Italy. This company was specialized in insulation materials production, such as cork, rubber, foams, and even asbestos. In the early twentieth century, Martinite was utilized in warships of the Royal Italian Navy. During this time, it was patented in Italy and in many other industrialized nations. It was also utilized in construction of civilian power plants and was approved by the Architects Corporation in 1940. Furthermore, it was licenced in 1950 by the Italian National Naval Certification Body (UNAV) to be used on ships. We argue that had Martinite been properly advertised and distributed, it could have been used worldwide in place of asbestos for some applications, resulting in a lower incidence of serious and fatal diseases. The small scale of the company, compared to those of the asbestos multinationals, contributed to the lack of commercial development of the product.

O Envelhecimento Pulmonar e as suas Alterações Imagiológicas

INTRODUÇÃO: Com o aumento da esperança média de vida, as populações atingem idades cada vez mais tardias. Como consequência, é essencial que se faça uma distinção clara das alterações que se consideram fisiológicas do envelhecimento, das patológicas. O objetivo desta revisão foi identificar as principais alterações imagiológicas do parênquima pulmonar que surgem com o envelhecimento, presentes na radiografia torácica e tomografia computorizada.MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Os critérios de inclusão definidos foram artigos que descrevessem achados imagiológicos em radiografia torácica e tomografia computorizada atribuídos ao envelhecimento em idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Os artigos exclusivamente referentes a alterações da função pulmonar, parede torácica e mediastino foram excluídos, assim como, artigos duplicados e redigidos noutras línguas. Além disso, a população não podia apresentar história de tabagismo atual ou passado; exposições ocupacionais relevantes, por exemplo, trabalham na indústria de amianto; espirometria a documentar obstrução; dispneia documentada por mMRC&gt;2 ou outros marcadores de comprometimento pulmonar.RESULTADOS: Há um aumento da hiperinsuflação pulmonar de forma homogénea e de fenómenos de air-trapping. As opacidades de vidro despolido e o padrão de mosaico do parênquima pulmonar são também frequentes nestas populações, contudo não se pode excluir a possibilidade de patologia pulmonar subjacente. O diagnóstico de bronquiectasias requer critérios próprios nos idosos e os nódulos pulmonares devem ser abordados de acordo com as normas publicadas. DISCUSSÃO/CONCLUSÃO: Com o envelhecimento estão objetivadas alterações do parênquima pulmonar, contudo a distinção entre o patológico e o fisiológico é ainda difícil de definir.

Asbestos: A Silent Potent Killer

Asbestos is a general name given to a group of carcinogenic and genotoxic fibrous silicate minerals that have been of commercial values over the years. They include chrysolite, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite and anthrophylite. Because of their special properties such as flexibility, tensile length, heat stability and resistivity to chemical, electrical, thermal and biological attacks, asbestos fibres have been used as components of several construction, building and automotive materials. This materials when disturbed, during home redecoration, demolition, renovation and automobiles repairs, release asbestos fibres into the atmosphere leading to both residential and occupational exposure. Measured concentration of fibres has been found to be higher in urban areas (especially those in close proximity with asbestos industries which may include mining and demolition sites) than in rural areas. Several studies have linked asbestos exposure to several serious health challenges such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other respiratory diseases. Although the main mechanisms through which asbestos can lead to diseases are not fully understood, three hypotheses have been made. These include alterations at the chromosomal level, activation of oncogenes, loss of tumour suppressor genes, alterations in cellular signal transduction pathways, generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and direct mechanical damage to cells from asbestos fibres. This article reviews briefly the ways by which the general public (occupational and non-occupational) can be exposed to asbestos and its most recent pathogenic mechanisms leading to malignant and non-malignant disease conditions.

An asbestos contaminated town in the vicinity of an asbestos-cement facility: The case study of Sibaté, Colombia

IntroductionThe asbestos industry began operations in Colombia in 1942, with an asbestos-cement facility located in the municipality of Sibaté. In recent years residents from Sibaté have been complaining about what they consider is an unusually large number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the town. A study to analyze the situation of Sibaté started in 2015, to verify if the number of asbestos related diseases being diagnosed were higher than expected, and to identify potential asbestos exposure sources in the town. MethodsA health and socioeconomic survey was implemented door-to-door to identify potential asbestos-related diseases. Several self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified, and for confirmation purposes, copies of the medical record with the histopathology report were obtained. A panel of six physicians analyzed the medical records. Information of validated cases was used to estimate the male and female age-adjusted incidence rate for Sibaté. Based on reports of the existence of potential asbestos-contaminated landfills, topographic maps, a digital elevation model, and current satellite images were crossed using a geographic information system to identify potential landfilled areas, and soils samples were collected in some of these areas. ResultsA total of 355 surveys were completed, and 29 self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified. Twenty-five of these cases have been persons who had lived at some moment of their lives in Sibaté. It was possible to obtain copies of the medical diagnosis for 17 cases. Of these, the panel of physicians classified 15 cases as certain pleural mesothelioma, one as probable, and one as not mesothelioma. Based on this information, the estimated age-adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma in Sibaté was 3.1 × 105 persons-year for males and 1.6 × 105 persons-year for females. These rates are high in comparison to those reported in other cities, regions, and countries of the world. Using geographic information systems, landfilled zones in the urban area of Sibaté were identified, on top of which a school and different sports facilities were built. The analysis of four soil samples collected in landfilled zones, confirmed the existence of an underground layer of friable and non-friable asbestos. ConclusionThe collected evidence suggests the presence of a malignant pleural mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté.

Asbestos and insurance interests continue to use discredited scientific argument to sell asbestos and to deny justice to asbestos victims

Chrysotile asbestos represents ninety-five percent of all asbestos sold over the past century. For more than two decades the global asbestos trade has consisted entirely of chrysotile asbestos. For this reason, it has been imperative for the asbestos industry, in order to ensure its survival, to claim that chrysotile asbestos can be used safely and that only other amphibole forms of asbestos are harmful. The scientific evidence is overwhelming that chrysotile asbestos causes deadly diseases, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung, and other cancers, and that use of chrysotile asbestos should stop. The asbestos industry has, therefore, spent millions of dollars paying scientists to carry out a misinformation campaign to deny the scientific evidence and claim that, while amphibole asbestos causes harm to health, chrysotile asbestos does not.

Clustering of malignant pleural mesothelioma in asbestos factories: a subgroup analysis in a 29-year follow-up study to identify high-risk industries in Taiwan

ObjectiveExposure to asbestos is the major cause for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), but the causal link of individual cases is difficult to establish for lack of exposure information and long...