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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2021Sailors have long been known to experience high rates of injury, disease, and premature death. Many studies have shown asbestos-related diseases among shipyard workers,... (Review)
Review
Sailors have long been known to experience high rates of injury, disease, and premature death. Many studies have shown asbestos-related diseases among shipyard workers, but few have examined the epidemiology of asbestos-related disease and death among asbestos-exposed sailors serving on ships at sea. Chrysotile and amphibole asbestos were used extensively in ship construction for insulation, joiner bulkhead systems, pipe coverings, boilers, machinery parts, bulkhead panels, and many other uses, and asbestos-containing ships are still in service. Sailors are at high risk of exposure to shipboard asbestos, because unlike shipyard workers and other occupationally exposed groups, sailors both work and live at their worksite, making asbestos standards and permissible exposure limits (PELs). based on an 8-h workday inadequate to protect their health elevated risks of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers have been observed among sailors through epidemiologic studies. We review these studies here.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestos, Serpentine; Humans; Mesothelioma; Military Personnel; Ships
PubMed: 34444165
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168417 -
La Medicina Del Lavoro Jun 2019.
UNLABELLED
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INTRODUCTION:
Cement-based material containing asbestos was found in the water of a pond in the city of Milan, Italy, where recreational fishing activities take place. Some fishes are in ‘no-kill’ fishing areas, others are caught and consumed.
OBJECTIVE:
To verify the presence of asbestos in water, sediments and some fish species living in the pond. To verify the presence of asbestos in fish feed and to test fish exposure by ingestion.
METHODS:
Samples of water, sediments, fish feed and fish species have been collected and the presence of asbestos fibers has been ascertained in the different matrices.
RESULTS:
No traces of asbestos were found in water. Instead, the asbestos content in sediments was beyond regulatory limits. Asbestos was detected also in benthic fish species, and in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that does not reproduce in the pond but must be restocked periodically through aquaculture. In the meat of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) 36,000,000 fibers/100 g of wet cloth have been found. Values up to 15,000,000 ff/100 g of wet cloth have been detected in the rainbow trout. Asbestos has also been found in animal feeds, in particular crocidolite fibers and asbestos tremolite bundles.
CONCLUSIONS:
Benthic fish species have likely been contaminated by their close contact with the polluted bottom of the pond. Instead, the presence of asbestos in the trout is probably linked to a previous contamination during farming, since this fish spend a brief period of time in the water of the pond. Asbestos distribution and concentration exclude a risk for public health; however, some values of asbestos found in fish meat deserve attention. Accordingly, precautionary indications have been given to the Municipality of Milan and to the fishermen association. A larger scale monitoring of water, food and animal feed is worth performing to better assess exposure by ingestion.
Topics: Animals; Aquaculture; Asbestos; Carps; Italy; Oncorhynchus mykiss; Ponds
PubMed: 31268427
DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v110i3.7455 -
Gaceta Sanitaria 2022What are the levels of asbestos exposure that cause each type of health effect? The objective of this study was to review the available scientific evidence on exposure... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
What are the levels of asbestos exposure that cause each type of health effect? The objective of this study was to review the available scientific evidence on exposure levels for asbestos and their relationship to health effects.
METHOD
An umbrella review of English-language reviews and meta-analyses, from 1980 to March 2021 was conducted. We included reviews involving quantified asbestos exposures and health outcomes. The review has been adapted to the indications of the PRISMA declaration. Methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the AMSTAR instrument.
RESULTS
We retrieved 196 references. After applying the search strategy and quality analysis, 10 reviews were selected for in-depth analysis. For lung cancer, the highest risk was observed with exposure to amphiboles. Longer, thinner fibers had the greatest capacity to cause lung cancer, especially those > 10 μm in length. For mesothelioma, longer and thinner fibers were also more pathogenic; amphiboles ≥ 5 μm are especially associated with increased mesothelioma risk. No studies observed an increased risk for lung cancer or mesothelioma at asbestos exposure levels <0.1 f/ml. No reviews provided information on exposure concentrations for pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, there is limited evidence in humans to establish the causal relationship between gastrointestinal cancer and asbestos exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
Banning all asbestos exposure remains the best measure to preventing its negative health effects. The highest quality reviews and meta-analyses support that there is little risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma at daily exposure levels below 0.1 f/ml.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestos, Amphibole; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Occupational Exposure; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 34120777
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.04.001 -
The Permanente Journal 2020Asbestos-related diseases and cancers represent a major public health concern. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Asbestos-related diseases and cancers represent a major public health concern.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate that asbestos exposure increases the risk of prostate cancer.
METHODS
The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched using the keywords (prostate cancer OR prostatic neoplasm) AND (asbestos* OR crocidolite* OR chrysotile* OR amphibole* OR amosite*). To be included, articles needed to describe our primary outcome: Risk of prostate cancer after any asbestos exposure.
RESULTS
We included 33 studies with 15,687 cases of prostate cancer among 723,566 individuals. Asbestos exposure increased the risk of prostate cancer (effect size = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.15). When we considered mode of absorption, respiratory inhalation increased the risk of prostate cancer (1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.14). Both environmental and occupational exposure increased the risk of prostate cancer (1.25, 95% CI = 1.01-1.48; and 1.07, 1.04-1.10, respectively). For type of fibers, the amosite group had an increased risk of prostate cancer (1.12, 95% CI = 1.05-1.19), and there were no significant results for the chrysotile/crocidolite group. The risk was higher in Europe (1.12, 95% CI = 1.05-1.19), without significant results in other continents.
DISCUSSION
Asbestos exposure seems to increase prostate cancer risk. The main mechanism of absorption was respiratory. Both environmental and occupational asbestos exposure were linked to increased risk of prostate cancer.
CONCLUSION
Patients who were exposed to asbestos should possibly be encouraged to complete more frequent prostate cancer screening.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestos, Amphibole; Asbestos, Serpentine; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Incidence; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Occupational Exposure; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Ronidazole
PubMed: 32097115
DOI: 10.7812/TPP/19.086 -
Annals of Global Health 2014Asbestos continues to be used in large quantities around the world and to be an important commodity in global trade. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Asbestos continues to be used in large quantities around the world and to be an important commodity in global trade.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and quantify current global patterns of asbestos production, export and use; to examine global patterns of asbestos-related disease; and to examine barriers to an asbestos ban.
METHOD
Review of the biomedical literature describing patterns of asbestos exposure and disease; review of documents from national governments, UN agencies, and NGOs on asbestos production and use.
FINDINGS
Despite widespread knowledge of the hazards of asbestos and bans on any use of asbestos in more than 50 countries, an estimated 2 million tons of asbestos continue to be used around the world each year. Although this amount is significantly less than peak annual consumption of nearly 5 million tons two decades ago, significant amounts of asbestos are still used in India, China, Russia, and some developing countries. This use of asbestos is responsible for disease today and will cause still more asbestos-related disease in the years ahead. Real and artificially manufactured controversies regarding asbestos such as arguments about the relative hazards of different asbestos fiber types and fiber sizes have impeded bans on asbestos.
CONCLUSIONS
All forms of asbestos pose grave dangers to human health. All are proven human carcinogens. There is no continued justification for the use of asbestos. Its production and use should be banned worldwide.
Topics: Asbestos; Carcinogens; Global Health; Humans; Mining; Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Tract Diseases
PubMed: 25459326
DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2014.09.016 -
Cancer Science Oct 2012Asbestos is a proven human carcinogen. Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) typically comprise lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, thickening... (Review)
Review
Asbestos is a proven human carcinogen. Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) typically comprise lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, thickening and effusion. International organizations, notably the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, have repeatedly declared the need to eliminate ARDs, and have called on countries to stop using asbestos. However, the relevant national-level indicators (e.g., incidence/mortality rates and per capita asbestos use, as well as their interrelationships) indicate that ARDs are increasing and asbestos use is continuing in the world. Lessons learned by industrialized countries in terms of policy and science have led to a growing number of countries adopting bans. In contrast, industrializing countries are faced with a myriad of forces prompting them to continue using asbestos. Full-scale international cooperation will thus be needed, with industrialized countries sharing their experiences and technologies to enable industrializing countries to make smooth transitions to banned states and achieve the goal of eliminating ARDs.
Topics: Asbestos; Asbestosis; Carcinogens; Humans; Neoplasms
PubMed: 22726320
DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2012.02366.x -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022This review examined the main issues debated in Korea regarding the production and use of materials containing naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as impurities, and... (Review)
Review
This review examined the main issues debated in Korea regarding the production and use of materials containing naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as impurities, and investigated the impacts of these debates on the asbestos ban, as well as the future implications. In Korea, incidents associated with the production and use of NOA-contaminated talc powders, construction rocks, serpentinites, and dolomite rocks raised public concern and led to accelerating the ban on asbestos. The main controversies concern policies on appropriate asbestos content limits, whether materials containing a trace amount of NOA should be banned, and the control of materials with high human exposure risk. To address recurring controversies, the implementation of preventive measures to manage elongated mineral particles and the use of transmission electron microscopy for more sensitive analysis need to be discussed, along with reaching social agreement on the controversial policies. To minimize the potential exposure to asbestos that may occur during the production and use of industrial minerals in the future, it is necessary to apply occupational exposure control measures and monitor the health effects of the relevant population groups. These national policies on NOA should be prepared based on close collaboration and discussion with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and related academic experts.
Topics: Asbestos; Humans; Minerals; Occupational Exposure; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 35055562
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020742 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2017Many developed countries have banned the use of asbestos, but not the United States. There have, however, been multiple efforts in the US to establish strict exposure... (Review)
Review
Many developed countries have banned the use of asbestos, but not the United States. There have, however, been multiple efforts in the US to establish strict exposure standards, to limit asbestos use, and to seek compensation through the courts for asbestos-injured workers' In consequence of these efforts, asbestos use has declined dramatically, despite the absence of a legally mandated ban. This manuscript presents a historical review of these efforts.
Topics: Animals; Asbestos; Carcinogens; Government Regulation; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Occupational Exposure; United States
PubMed: 29072598
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14111302 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2021Asbestos-cement slate roofs are one of the most common environmental causes of asbestos exposure. However, few studies have examined residential asbestos-cement...
Asbestos-cement slate roofs are one of the most common environmental causes of asbestos exposure. However, few studies have examined residential asbestos-cement slate-related exposure and its effects on human health. This study was performed to evaluate cumulative asbestos exposure levels and to calculate the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) of residents of asbestos-cement slate-roofed houses. We reviewed previous Korean literature to estimate the concentration of airborne asbestos from asbestos-cement slate roofed buildings. Finally, eight studies were selected, and a pooled analysis was performed. The results derived from the pooled analysis were combined with the data from a health impact survey conducted from 2009 to 2016 at the Environmental Health Center for Asbestos (EHCA) of the Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, and a carcinogenic risk assessment was performed. As a result, the representative value of the indoor exposure concentration related to asbestos-cement slate was found to be 0.0032 f/cc on average, and the representative value of the exposure related to occupational asbestos-cement slate dismantling and demolition was found to be 0.0034 f/cc. In addition, the ELCR of asbestos-cement slate related indoor exposure and occupational dismantling and demolition was found to be of medium risk, and the ELCR of residential dismantling and demolition of asbestos-cement slate was less than 10, indicating that the risk was low. Since there is no threshold for carcinogenicity related to asbestos, this should not be ignored even if the risk appears low, and it would be reasonable to calculate the carcinogenic risk based on total lifetime exposure. More studies on asbestos exposure scenarios and the scope of similar exposure groups through additional data collection and further analysis of risk are needed.
Topics: Asbestos; Carcinogens; Construction Materials; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 34203418
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136925 -
Canadian Respiratory Journal 2016Patients with an asbestos-related mesothelioma may be legally entitled to financial compensation. In this context, a physician may be called upon to apportion the... (Review)
Review
Patients with an asbestos-related mesothelioma may be legally entitled to financial compensation. In this context, a physician may be called upon to apportion the contribution of an asbestos containing product or facility where there was asbestos exposure in the development of that individual's mesothelioma. This task is mathematically not simple. It is a complex function of each and the entire individual's above-background asbestos exposures. Factors to be considered for each of these exposures are the amount of exposure to mesotheliogenic fibers, each of the asbestos containing products' potency to cause mesothelioma, and the time period when the exposures occurred relative to when the mesothelioma was diagnosed. In this paper, the known factors related to asbestos-related mesothelioma risk are briefly reviewed and the software that is downloadable and fully functional in a Windows® environment is also provided. This software allows for rapid assessment of relative contributions and deals with the somewhat tedious mathematical calculations. With this software and a reasonable occupational history, if it is decided that the mesothelioma was due to above-background asbestos exposure, the contribution of an asbestos containing product or a time period of asbestos exposure can be apportioned.
Topics: Animals; Asbestos; Cost Allocation; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Software; Time Factors
PubMed: 27445546
DOI: 10.1155/2016/5340676