[Asbestos, danger and invisibility: perception of environmental risks and health of the residents of Bom Jesus da Serra/Bahia state]. / Amianto, perigo e invisibilidade: percepção de riscos ambientais e à saúde de moradores do município de Bom Jesus da Serra/Bahia.

It is important for society as a whole to know how environmentally exposed populations understand and respond to technological chemical risks. This study aimed to analyze the perception of environmental risks and health of the residents of BJS/BA, which is an area especially subjected to environmental exposure to asbestos in Brazil. Mixed questionnaires were used on residents who attend the "Family Health Program" of this city. The subjects of the study were selected according to the following characteristics: specific age groups--one group from 20 to 35 and the other group over 60; sex; length of time and location of dwelling. The intentional sample reached comprised 83 individuals. The results showed that there was general concern about contamination by dust in the air, but general denial of the environmental risks related to asbestos. With respect to health risks, there was lack of visibility by the majority of informants regarding greater risk of getting cancer and pulmonary diseases, mainly for the group of the residents close to the mine and elderly ex-workers.

Mesothelioma mortality in Brazil, 1980-2003.

Although asbestos causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, it remains widely used in Brazil, mostly in cement-fiber products. We report the Brazilian mesothelioma mortality trend 1980-2003, using records of the national System of Mortality Information of DATASUS, including all deaths with IX International Disease Classification (ICD9) codes 163.n--pleura cancer during the period 1980-1995; and ICD10 codes c45.n--mesotheliomas and c38.4--pleura cancer for the years 1996-2003. Mesothelioma mortality rates increased over the period studied, from 0.56 to 1.01 deaths per 1,000,000 [corrected] habitants. The total number of mesothelioma deaths nationwide in the period studied was 2,414; the majority (1,415) were in the Southeast region. Mortality was highest among males and people over age 65. Given the history of asbestos exposure in Brazil, our findings support the need for policies that limit or ban the use of this product.