Prevalence Of Asbestos-related Disease Research Articles

Prevalence of Asbestos-Related Disease Among Workers in Sri Lanka.

Background:Asbestos products are manufactured and used in Sri Lanka in the construction and automobile industries.Objective:To determine radiologically if exposure to asbestos caused lung disease among workers handling asbestos products, and to generate data in Sri Lanka where no such data exist due to poor reporting and a poor surveillance system.Methods:Following ethics approval and written consent plain chest X-rays and exposure data were obtained in 230 workers in asbestos manufacturing, building construction, building demolition, tsunami debris cleanup, and other trades. The assumption was that all exposed workers were exposed to chrysotile. Participants were from provinces with asbestos factories, and where tsunami cleanup had occurred.Findings and Conclusions:Radiological findings of the 230 participants showed lung fibrosis in 7% (16 cases), and other non-asbestos-related lung conditions. Of the 16 fibrosis cases, none were in manufacturing workers, one in a construction worker, six in tsunami workers, six in demolition workers, and three cases in others. Globally, Sri Lanka has one of the highest consumptions of chrysotile asbestos per capita. This first known study documenting asbestos disease in Sri Lanka is clearly a limited, self-selected group of workers studied with obvious limitations. The prevalence of asbestos-related lung disease among tsunami and demolition worker indicates that a risk exists for asbestos material already in use in Sri Lanka. Hence a significant concern is the safety of asbestos demolition workers and cleanup workers exposed to asbestos debris from major natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, typhoons, and tsunamis.

Potential risk of residential asbestos exposure: Japanese general screening study for asbestos-related diseases (JGSARD).

e12541 Background: Currently, an argument about health risks by residential asbestos exposure as well as occupational asbestos exposure has been closed up in Japan. Therefore, the latest large-scale CT screening study reflective of a country's general situation of asbestos exposure will help citizens understand significant information about asbestos-related diseases. Methods: JGSARD is a prospective cohort study for the general population representative of Japan designed to evaluate the actual situation of asbestos exposure and the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases through chest radiography and low-dose CT (LDCT) at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. From 2006 to 2008, 9810 subjects (mean age, 57 years; 54% male and 50% smokers) underwent baseline screening at 26 institutions in Japan. Lifetime self-reported history of asbestos exposure (SHAE) was obtained. Results: Occupational SHAE was definite and possible in 1103 (11.2%) and 1702 (17.3%) subjects, respectively, whereas residential SHAE was definite and possible in 262 (2.7%) and 931 (9.5%) subjects, respectively, although asbestos factory in their residential areas actually existed in 2870 (29.3%) subjects. The false negative rates of residential SHAE in all participants of this study (n=9810), those with pleural plaque on LDCT (n=264), and those with pleural plaque without occupational SHAE (n=83) were calculated as high value of 85.6%, 76.0%, and 87.9%, respectively. Presence of pleural plaque was significantly correlated with male (odds ratio [OR], 2.32), age 60 years and older (OR, 1.75), smoking (OR, 1.60), occupational or residential SHAE (OR, 3.92), residential period in asbestos factory area (OR every 10 years, 1.13), and asbestos-related work period (7 works identified). Lung cancer was identified in 29 (0.3%) subjects. Presence of lung cancer was significantly correlated with age 60 years and older (OR, 2.67) and presence of pleural plaque (OR, 4.17) regardless of occupational and residential SHAE. Conclusions: Our results indicate the potential risk of residential asbestos exposure and thus the importance of public relations and enlightenment for them among Japanese general population.

1447PD - Potential Risk of Asbestos Exposure Among Japanese General Population: Japanese General Screening Study for Asbestos-Related Diseases (JGSARD)

ABSTRACT Background Patients with pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure has been recently increasing in Japan. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the actual situation of asbestos exposure and the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases among Japanese general population. Materials and methods From 2006 to 2008, 9810 subjects (mean age, 57 years; 54% male and 50% smokers) underwent low-dose CT (LDCT) in 26 institutions in Japan. Then, 6286 (64.1%) subjects underwent subsequent screening after 2 years of interval. Clinical information such as history of asbestos exposure for all life was reviewed. Images were interpreted independently by 15 experts. Results Self-reported history of occupational exposure was present in 2805 (28.5%) subjects, whereas self-reported history of residential exposure was present in 1193 (12.2%) subjects although asbestos factory actually existed in 2870 (29.3%) subjects. Pleural plaque, pleural thickening, and pulmonary nodule were identified in 264 (2.7%), 245 (2.5%), and 1003 (10.2%) subjects on LDCT. However, self-reported history of asbestos exposure was not confirmed in 77 (29.2%) of 264 subjects with pleural plaque although asbestos factory actually existed in 65 (84.4%) of such 77 subjects. Pleural plaque on LDCT was significantly correlated with male (odds ratio OR, 2.32), age over 60 years (OR, 1.75), smoking (OR, 1.60), self-reported history of asbestos exposure (OR, 3.92), residential period in asbestos factory area (OR every 10 years, 1.13), and asbestos-related work period (7 work identified, OR every 10 years, 1.300-3–3.21). Moreover, lung cancer was identified in 29 (0.3%) subjects, resulting in significant correlation with age over 60 years (OR, 2.67) and pleural plaque (OR, 4.17). After repeated LDCT screening, among 6286 subjects consisting of 165 and 6121 subjects with and without pleural plaque on LDCT at baseline screening, respectively, 5 (3.0%) of 165 and 7 (0.1%) of 6121 subjects showed marked progression and new onset of pleural plaque, respectively. Again, lung cancer was identified in 8 (0.1%) subjects. Conclusion Our results indicate the potential risk of asbestos exposure among Japanese general population and the importance of public relations and enlightenment for especially residential asbestos exposure. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Asbestos-Related Disease in Banlgadeshi Ship Breakers: A Pilot Study

A pilot study tested the feasibility of conducting occupational health research in Bangladesh while examining prevalence of asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, work-related respiratory symptoms, and attitudes to occupational health and safety among a group of internal migrant ship breakers. Data was collected on clinical and work history, respiratory symptoms, and occupational health and safety practices in Bengali. A B-reader read all postero-anterior chest x-rays. In the 104 male ship breakers studied, prevalence of asbestos-related disease was 12%, of which asbestosis accounted for 6%. Knowledge of asbestos and occupational health and safety measures were almost nonexistent. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases is low compared to studies in shipbuilders and repairers, but a risk underestimate could have resulted from challenges identified during study design and implementation including: industry noncooperation and a culture of corruption; technological and language barriers; and a regional lack of physician knowledge and research on occupational diseases.

Asbestos-Related Disease in Banlgadeshi Ship Breakers: A Pilot Study

A pilot study tested the feasibility of conducting occupational health research in Bangladesh while examining prevalence of asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, work-related respiratory symptoms, and attitudes to occupational health and safety among a group of internal migrant ship breakers. Data was collected on clinical and work history, respiratory symptoms, and occupational health and safety practices in Bengali. A B-reader read all postero-anterior chest x-rays. In the 104 male ship breakers studied, prevalence of asbestos-related disease was 12 %, of which asbestosis accounted for 6%. Knowledge of asbestos and occupational health and safety measures were almost nonexistent. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases is low compared to studies in shipbuilders and repairers, but a risk underestimate could have resulted from challenges identified during study design and implementation including: industry noncooperation and a culture of corruption; technological and language barriers; and a regional lack of physician knowledge and research on occupational diseases.

Asbestos-Related Diseases in a Population Near a Fibrous Cement Factory

Background and Objective The first fibrous cement factory in Spain was set up in Cerdanyola, Barcelona, in 1907 and was a source of pollution there until it was closed in 1997. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the population with asbestos-related diseases who had worked in the factory and/or lived in the vicinity. Material and Methods We retrospectively collected information available on patients with asbestos-related diseases who at the time of diagnosis had resided in the area near the fibrous cement factory. Information was obtained from the medical records of the primary care centers of the 12 surrounding towns and the sole referral hospital in the area for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 2006. Results In the 559 patients diagnosed, 1107 cases of asbestos-related diseases were identified. Between 2000 and 2006, the average annual incidence was 9.5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants for the entire study area and 35.5 cases per 100 000 for the area nearest the factory. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases as of December 31, 2006 was 91 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in the entire study area and 353.4 cases per 100 000 in the area nearest the factory. Of the 1107 asbestos-related disease cases identified, 86.5% were benign and 8.4% pleural mesothelioma. Conclusions The factory introduced an important area-wide risk factor for asbestos-related diseases for both workers and the nearby population. The number of cases detected annually showed an upward trend and the incidence of asbestos-related diseases was extremely high.

Enfermedad por amianto en una población próxima a una fábrica de fibrocemento

Background and Objective The first fibrous cement factory in Spain was set up in Cerdanyola, Barcelona, in 1907 and was a source of pollution there until it was closed in 1997. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the population with by asbestos-related diseases who had worked in the factory and/or lived in the vicinity. Material and Methods We retrospectively collected information available on patients with asbestos-related diseases who at the time of diagnosis had resided in the area near the fibrous cement factory. Information was obtained from the medical records of the primary care centers of the 12 surrounding towns and the sole referral hospital in the area for cases diagnosed between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 2006. Results In the 559 patients diagnosed, 1107 cases of asbestos-related diseases were identified. Between 2000 and 2006, the average annual incidence was 9.5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants for the entire study area and 35.5 cases per 100 000 for the area nearest the factory. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases as of December 31, 2006 was 91 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in the entire study area and 353.4 cases per 100 000 in the area nearest the factory. Of the 1107 asbestos-related disease cases identified, 86.5% were benign and 8.4% pleural mesothelioma. Conclusions The factory introduced an important area-wide risk factor for asbestos-related diseases for both workers and for the nearby population. The number of cases of asbestos-related diseases detected annually showed an upward trend. The incidence was extremely high in the period studied.

Change in Prevalence of Asbestos-Related Disease Among Sheet Metal Workers 1986 to 2004

In 1985, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association formed The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust to examine the health hazards of the sheet metal industry in the United States and Canada. Between 1986 and 2004, 18,211 individuals were examined. The mean age of this cohort was 57.9 years, and the participants had worked for a mean (± SD) duration of 32.9 ± 6 years in the sheet metal trade. Twenty-three percent of participants were current smokers, 49% were former smokers, and 28% were never-smokers. A total of 9.6% of participants (1,745 participants) had findings that were consistent with parenchymal disease (International Labor Organization [ILO] score, ≥ 1/0); 60% of those with an ILO score ≥ 1/0 were classified as 1/0, 34% as 1/1 to 1/2, and 6% as ≥ 2/1. A total of 21% of participants (3,827 participants) had pleural scarring. There was a lower prevalence of nonmalignant asbestos-related disease among those who began to work after 1970, when compared to workers who began to work before 1949; those who began to work between 1950 and 1969 had a prevalence between the other two groups. The strongest predictor of both parenchymal and pleural disease on a chest radiograph was the calendar year in which the worker began sheet metal work; work in a shipyard was also an important risk. The results of this study suggest that the efforts to reduce asbestos exposure in the 1980s through strengthened Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation have had a positive public health impact.

Asbestos-related findings in chest radiographs of the male population of the county of Telemark, Norway--a cross-sectional study.

In order to investigate the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases, a cross-sectional population study was conducted among 28,216 men aged 40 years in nine municipalities of the county of Telemark, Norway. In a primary radiographic screening 10 X 10-cm chest radiographs were taken of 21,483 persons. In two independent readings of the radiographs, pleural changes were observed in 6.9 and 8.5% of the study subjects. Radiographic findings in the primary screening led to 1,431 subjects being selected for a reexamination. On the basis of occupational histories and 40 X 40-cm chest radiographs, it was concluded that 470 of these subjects (2.2% of the screened population) had radiographic changes consistent with an asbestos-related disorder. Among these, 86 had lung fibrosis (82 in combination with pleural plaques) and 384 had pleural plaques only. There were marked differences in the occurrence of asbestos-related disorders between the seven urban and two rural communities studied, and agreement was observed between the occurrence of such disorders and the degree and duration of the reported asbestos exposure. The study presents evidence that asbestos-related disorders may be more prevalent in the general male population than has been recognized earlier.