Occupational characterization of workers exposed to asbestos: an integrative review

Abstract

RESUMO | O asbesto é uma fibra mineral abundante na natureza, classificado como substância cancerígena desde 1987. Objetivouse identificar, na literatura científica, quais são as ocupações e atividades desenvolvidas por trabalhadores adoecidos e quais categorias seriam afetadas com doenças relacionadas ao asbesto. O presente estudo trata-se de uma revisão de literatura realizada mediante a busca nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science e Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, sendo selecionados e avaliados 23 estudos publicados entre 2015 e 2020. As ocupações que demonstraram maior adoecimento pela exposição ao asbesto foram trabalhadores gerais de indústrias de asbesto (40%), mineradores (22%) e do setor têxtil (9%), seguidos por trabalhadores da indústria naval, do setor automotivo, carpinteiros, do setor de fabricação de bonecas, da construção civil, estofadores e trabalhadores que participaram do resgate, recuperação, limpeza e restauração do local do World Trade Center (4%). Entre as patologias associadas à exposição ao asbesto, a principal descrita é o mesotelioma maligno (43%). As evidências encontradas corroboram as informações preexistentes na literatura de que a exposição ao asbesto pode ser prejudicial à saúde. Ainda, ressalta-se a importância da utilização de equipamentos de proteção individual, a fim de evitar o desenvolvimento de doenças relacionadas ao asbesto. Palavras-chave | asbesto; ocupações; exposição ocupacional; saúde do trabalhador.ABSTRACT | Asbestos is a mineral fiber abundant in nature and classified as a carcinogen since 1987. The present study aimed to identify, in the scientific literature, what are the occupation and activities developed by sick workers and which categories would be affected with asbestos-related diseases. Through a literature review performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science, and Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library, 23 studies published from 2015 to 2020 were selected and evaluated. The occupations that showed greater illness due to exposure to asbestos were general asbestos workers (40%), miners (22%), and textile workers (9%), followed by naval, automotive, carpentry, doll-making, construction, and upholstery workers, as well as workers involved in the rescue, recovery, cleaning, and restoration of the World Trade Center (4%). Of the disease associated with exposure to asbestos, the most described is malignant mesothelioma (43%). Evidence found corroborate pre-existing information in the literature showing that exposure to asbestos may be harmful to health. Moreover, the importance of using personal protective equipment was emphasized, in order to prevent the development of asbestos-related diseases.

The Gap of Health Inequalities Amongst Lung Cancer Patients of Different Socioeconomic Status: A Brief Reference to the Greek Reality

“…People from lower SES are more likely to work in mines, being exposed to asbestos every day. Numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted on workers exposed to asbestos [ 30 ], but there is a limited number of studies focusing on the health effects of asbestos exposure in household and residential settings. Primary concerns regarding household exposure involve the immediate family members of asbestos workers, stemming from dust brought home on clothing.…”

Dual Malignancies Discovered: A Rare Case of Malignant Peritoneal Epithelioid Mesothelioma and Lung Adenocarcinoma

“…Overall, 80% of patients with pleural mesothelioma have a history of asbestos exposure, while only 50% of patients with MPM have a history of asbestos exposure [5]. Incidence of disease has been documented to be higher in men as historically they have had greater exposure to at-risk careers such as working in the naval, mining, textile, and construction industries [6]. The patient in this case has no history of occupational or environmental exposure.…”