Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Asbestos as a Result of Consumption and Use in Poland

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.

Biocompatibility and Carcinogenicity of Carbon Nanotubes as Biomaterials

“…On the other hand, asbestos is a natural nanomaterial that was widely used in buildings from the 1950s to the 1970s for its exceptional heat insulation [10] (Figure 1b), fire resistance, and sound insulation; however, inhalation exposure to asbestos nanoparticles has been shown to cause malignant tumors, such as pleural mesothelioma, and their use was prohibited in various countries [11][12][13][14]. Inhaled asbestos nanoparticles are believed to cause long-term inflammation in the lungs, malignant transformation of mesothelial cells as a result of their reactivity, and formation of malignant mesothelioma [15].…”

Attributable Fraction of Cancer Related to Occupational Exposure in Italy

“…This could underestimate the actual prevalence of occupational asbestos exposure in Italy, and consequently the AF of the related cancers. Another reason why the proportion of mesothelioma classified as occupation-related by the ReNaM [ 10 ] is relatively low is that a role is also played by environmental exposure to asbestos [ 77 , 78 , 79 ]. According to our primary estimate of asbestos-related mesotheliomas, including cases of undefined origin, the AF was 86.6%.…”

A critical review of asbestos concentrations in water and air, according to exposure sources

“…Occupational Exposure is related to the workplace. The occupational type is considered as exposure in a work environment, with sources such as asbestos exploitation mines, the fiber cement industry, automobile workshops, even in dismantling, repair and maintenance activities of products that contain asbestos, [ 56 ]. Workers who come into contact with these products are at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure.…”