Asbestos in Belgium: an underestimated health risk. The evolution of mesothelioma mortality rates (1969-2009).
Int J Occup Environ Health
; 20(2): 134-40, 2014.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24999848
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although Belgium was once a major international manufacturer of asbestos products, asbestos-related diseases in the country have remained scarcely researched.OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study is to provide a descriptive analysis of Belgian mesothelioma mortality rates in order to improve the understanding of asbestos health hazards from an international perspective.METHODS:
Temporal and geographical analyses were performed on cause-specific mortality data (1969-2009) using quantitative demographic measures. Results were compared to recent findings on global mesothelioma deaths.RESULTS:
Belgium has one of the highest mesothelioma mortality rates in the world, following the UK, Australia, and Italy. With a progressive increase of male mesothelioma deaths in the mid-1980s, large differences in mortality rates between sexes are apparent. Mesothelioma deaths are primarily concentrated in geographic areas with proximity to former asbestos industries.CONCLUSIONS:
Asbestos mortality in Belgium has been underestimated for decades. Our findings suggest that the location of asbestos industries is correlated with rates of mesothelioma, underlining the need to avert future asbestos exposure by thorough screening of potential contaminated sites and by pursuing a global ban on asbestos.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Exposição Ocupacional
/
Neoplasias Pulmonares
/
Mesotelioma
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Occup Environ Health
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article