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Yusof MZ, Zahaba M, Mohd Aris MS, Shafiee S'A, Abdul Hadi H, Maghpor MN, Noraini NMR. Assessing lifetime occupational chrysotile inhalation exposure, respiratory symptoms, and lung cancer risk among brake maintenance workers in Malaysia. Toxicol Ind Health 2024; 40:596-604. [PMID: 39163360 DOI: 10.1177/07482337241273755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate workers' occupational lifetime exposure to chrysotile and examine the respiratory symptoms and lung cancer risk. A total of 112 workers were interviewed about their occupational histories. Exposure modeling using information on the determinants of exposure was used to estimate chrysotile emissions. The cumulative lifetime exposure was then assessed for each worker. Respiratory symptoms were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Lung cancer mortality rate was also predicted using a model. Almost all the workers were male and young (mean age = 30 years, SD = 7). The estimated lifetime occupational chrysotile inhalation exposure ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0486 f/mL.years (median = 0.0018 f/mL.years, IQR = 0.486). A high prevalence of cough symptom (11.7%), and low estimated cancer risk (<1%) were reported. In conclusion, the lung cancer risk among our cohort of workers was at a low level because of lower cumulative lifetime occupational chrysotile exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Zubir Yusof
- Consultation, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
- Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Maryam Zahaba
- Consultation, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shukri Mohd Aris
- Consultation, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
- Centre of Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Saiful 'Arifin Shafiee
- Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- IIUM Health, Safety and Environment (IHSEN), Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Hazrin Abdul Hadi
- IIUM Health, Safety and Environment (IHSEN), Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Norhafsam Maghpor
- Consultation, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Nor Mohd Razif Noraini
- Consultation, Research and Development Department, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
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Ferracini T, Brown S, Simmons B, Avens H, Gaffney S, Dotson S, Sahmel J. Evaluation of airborne asbestos concentrations associated with the maintenance of brakes on an industrial overhead crane. Inhal Toxicol 2024; 36:391-405. [PMID: 38952303 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2024.2367422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate potential airborne asbestos exposures during brake maintenance and repair activities on a P&H overhead crane, and during subsequent handling of the mechanic's clothing. METHODS Personal (n = 27) and area (n = 61) airborne fiber concentrations were measured during brake tests, removal, hand sanding, compressed air use, removal and reattachment of chrysotile-containing brake linings, and reinstallation of the brake linings. The mechanic's clothing was used to measure potential exposure during clothes handling. RESULTS All brake linings contained between 19.9% to 52.4% chrysotile asbestos. No amphibole fibers were detected in any bulk or airborne samples. The average full-shift airborne chrysotile concentration was 0.035 f/cc (PCM-equivalent asbestos-specific fibers, or PCME). Average task-based personal air samples collected during brake maintenance, sanding, compressed air use, and brake lining removal tasks ranged from 0 to 0.48 f/cc (PCME). The calculated 30-minute time-weighted average (TWA) airborne chrysotile concentration associated with 5-15 minutes of clothes handling was 0-0.035 f/cc PCME. CONCLUSION The results indicated that personal and area TWA fiber concentrations measured during all crane brake maintenance and clothes handling tasks were below the current OSHA 8-h TWA Permissible Exposure Limit for asbestos of 0.1 f/cc. Further, no airborne asbestos fibers were measured during routine brake maintenance tasks following the manufacturer's maintenance manual procedures. All short-term airborne chrysotile concentrations measured during non-routine tasks were below the current 30-minute OSHA excursion limit for asbestos of 1 f/cc. This study adds to the available data regarding chrysotile exposure potential during maintenance on overhead cranes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Brown
- Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Boulder, CO
| | | | | | | | - Scott Dotson
- Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group, Boulder, CO
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Frank AL. Response to Geyer. Am J Ind Med 2024; 67:83. [PMID: 38031894 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
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Frank AL. Four mesothelioma cases from a single automotive dealership: A case series. Am J Ind Med 2023; 66:904-906. [PMID: 37528762 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Four cases of mesothelioma were noted in a workplace of some 110 persons at a tractor dealership between 2006 and 2023. Each worker had a different job title. METHODS Medical-legal case material was reviewed and abstracted from four cases from the same dealership, all supplied via one law firm. RESULTS Four mesotheliomas are reported from this single facility that used chrysotile asbestos automotive products. Two of the four cases had no other known exposures to asbestos. DISCUSSION Automotive products containing chrysotile do appear capable of causing mesothelioma. Job category is not a good surrogate for exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur L Frank
- Dornsife School of Public Health of Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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SabzeAli N, Jaafarzadeh N, Shoushtari MH, Khadem M, Borsi SH, Zahedi A, Raji H. Investigation of asbestos concentration in ambient and lavage fluids of patients referred for bronchoscopy, Ahvaz. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2022; 20:641-646. [PMID: 36406611 PMCID: PMC9672228 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-022-00797-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The amount of fibers in the lungs is considered to reflect the cumulative intensity of past asbestos exposure, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been proposed to be a good indicator of the presence and quantity of asbestos particles in the lungs. This study evaluated the asbestos concentration in BAL fluids of asbestos-exposed and unexposed pulmonary patients and the environment of Ahvaz city. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 80 patients underwent diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2019. Patients with Lung diseases were divided into three groups based on CT scan results: normal (n = 32), lung cancer (n = 40) and Interstitial lung disease (n = 8). The analysis of asbestos fiber concentration in BAL fluid was carried out by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results The positive asbestos test was detected in 69% of all subjects, including 64% of whom had asbestos-related jobs and 74.5% of those with non-related jobs (p = 0.240). The concentrations of asbestos fiber in the BAL in normal patients, lung cancer and interstitial fibrosis (ILD) were 8.13 ± 5.38, 9.66 ± 7.30 and 6.31 ± 1.98 f/ml, respectively (P = 0.492). There was no significant difference between the asbestos levels and exposure history (P = 0.877). The mean concentration of asbestos in the ambient air during the current year was 2.69 ± 0.57 f/ml (2.26-3.70), and the correlation between asbestos levels in BAL and the air was not significant (r = 0.147; P = 0.243). Conclusions The exposure of different occupational and non-occupational groups to this carcinogenic substance indicates the need for environmental and individual control measures to reduce and prevent asbestos exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar SabzeAli
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Nematollah Jaafarzadeh
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur university of medical sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Haddadzadeh Shoushtari
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Monireh Khadem
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hamid Borsi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Zahedi
- department of environmental health engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur university of medical science, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hanieh Raji
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Evaluation of Airborne Asbestos Concentrations Associated with the Operation and Maintenance of Brakes and Clutches on Nonautomated Heavy Equipment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2022:9831883. [PMID: 35495363 PMCID: PMC9054464 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9831883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential for chrysotile asbestos exposure during maintenance and operation of older, nonautomated heavy equipment with chrysotile-containing brake and clutch linings. Recent reports indicate that such equipment may be in current use in the U.S. and other locations, including developing countries, due to its lower cost and ease of maintenance compared to newer equipment. Personal and area airborne fiber concentrations were measured for cranes with draglines during brake and clutch repair, equipment operation, shop cleanup, and clothes handling of the mechanic's coveralls over a period of three days. The range of airborne chrysotile concentrations during the complete friction band replacement process, including band removal from the equipment, friction lining replacement, and reinstallation, ranged from 0.0053 to 0.0273 f/cc (phase contrast microscopy-equivalent or PCME) over 3.3 to 6.2 hours. Additional bench work tasks, including electric wire brushing, hand sanding, riveting, and compressed air use were also performed. Full shift airborne chrysotile concentrations (6.1-8.5 hours) for all combined maintenance activities were 0.0093, 0.0414, and 0.0445 f/cc (PCME), on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Personal short-term samples (14-36 minutes) for lining removal, installation, wire brushing, hand sanding, and compressed air use ranged from nondetect (ND) to 0.238 f/cc (PCME), below the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) 30-minute excursion limit of 1 f/cc. Short-term samples during crane operation, shop cleanup, and simulated laundry activities with the mechanic's coveralls ranged from ND to 0.01 f/cc (PCME; 15-36 minutes). The results indicated that full-shift measured airborne chrysotile concentrations during the brake and clutch maintenance activities evaluated remained below the U.S. 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos of 0.1 f/cc. The results are likely to be relevant to farmers, construction workers, and vehicle maintenance workers historically, as well as today for those who choose to continue using and maintaining such equipment.
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Henriquez Mendoza GM, Cruz FL, Cortes Sánchez C, Giraldo CM. Carcinógenos ocupacionales relevantes en Colombia, listado actualizado (2020). Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2022. [DOI: 10.15446/rsap.v23n4.85134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objetivo Actualizar la lista de carcinógenos ocupacionales relevantes para el contexto colombiano.
Materiales y Métodos Se elaboró un listado único para el contexto colombiano a partir del Manual de Agentes Carcinógenos de los Grupos 1 y 2A de la IARC, de interés ocupacional para Colombia (2006) y del documento CAREX-2012 del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología. Estos documentos se compararon con los listados de carcinógenos ocupacionales relevantes a nivel internacional a partir de una revisión de literatura con las palabras “occupational carcinogens”, “exposure” y “neoplasm”. A su vez, estas publicaciones se cotejaron con la información disponible en el Programa de monografías en línea de la Agencia Internacional para la Investigación del Cáncer (IARC), hasta la monografía número 123.
Resultados Se proponen 52 carcinógenos ocupacionales relevantes, 25 químicos, cuatro físicos, cuatro biológicos, ocho mezclas y once circunstancias de exposición.
Conclusiones La actualización incluyó agentes físicos: radiación ultravioleta de la soldadura y Radón-222 y sus productos en descomposición (emisores de alfa partículas); mezclas: polvo de cuero, polvo de madera y aceite de esquisto; y circunstancias de exposición: humos de soldadura y contaminación del aire exterior y material particulado en aire contaminado exterior.
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Cely-García MF, Lysaniuk B, Pasetto R, Ramos-Bonilla JP. The challenges of applying an Activity-Based Sampling methodology to estimate the cancer risk associated with asbestos contaminated landfilled zones. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 181:108893. [PMID: 31784077 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Inhabitants of Sibaté (Colombia) report that between approximately 1975 and 1985 asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were dumped at different locations in the urban area of the municipality. Starting in around 1986, the dumping of materials resulted in landfilled zones, on top of which different facilities were then constructed. In a previous study, an underground friable asbestos layer was discovered in these landfilled zones. However, potential exposure to asbestos on the surface of landfilled zones in Sibaté has not been determined. In the current study, the U.S. EPA Activity-Based Sampling (ABS) methodology was adapted and applied in three scenarios located on potential landfilled areas in Sibaté, to estimate the current risk of exposure to asbestos through inhalation, and the resulting excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). For this purpose, generic ABS in a football stadium, and specific ABS in both a public playground and a school courtyard were conducted. Personal, area and blank samples were collected and analyzed using phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) following NIOSH 7400 and ISO 13794 methods, respectively. Exposure point concentrations were determined and compared against the action level for asbestos in air (ALAA), and were also used to calculate the ELCR of each scenario. A total of 25 airborne asbestos samples were collected, and 22 of these (12 personal samples, 7 area samples and 3 blank samples) were analyzed using PCM. Eighteen of these samples (12 personal, 3 area samples and 3 blank samples) were analyzed using TEM. The total asbestos structures concentration of personal samples ranged from non-detected to 0.326 S/cc (i.e., total asbestos structures counts ranged from 0 to 12). All samples had PCM-Equivalent asbestos structures concentrations below analytical sensitivity. Of the 22 samples analyzed, 18 were overloaded with particles. Although chrysotile and actinolite were identified in some personal samples, suggesting a potential risk of asbestos exposure, the ELCR was at U.S. EPA acceptable risk levels. Since the ABS methodology was applied in a limited number of scenarios and a small number of samples were collected, these results should be interpreted with caution and additional sampling campaigns are required to fully understand the risk of asbestos exposure in Sibaté. Methodological and analytical challenges encountered in the current study are discussed in detail, which could inform future ABS studies, not only in Sibaté, but also in other areas with asbestos-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda Cely-García
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Radiographic Changes in Colombian Asbestos Factory Workers. Ann Glob Health 2020; 86:3. [PMID: 31934550 PMCID: PMC6952967 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Until recently, Colombia has been a country actively using asbestos. A major factory in Bogota manufactures friction products. Objective: To determine if the use of chrysotile asbestos in a friction products facility leads to workers developing disease. Methods: One hundred forty-eight factory workers, former workers, or retirees volunteered for X-ray and pulmonary function testing after informed consent. X-rays were read by two readers who needed to agree on positive findings. Results: Nineteen of the 148 X-rays had changes consistent with the known prior exposure to asbestos, mostly parenchymal in nature. Pulmonary function was not altered in most of the studied population. Conclusion: Asbestos disease is clearly present among Colombian asbestos factory workers, as is seen in other exposed populations around the world.
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Ramos-Bonilla JP, Cely-García MF, Giraldo M, Comba P, Terracini B, Pasetto R, Marsili D, Ascoli V, Lysaniuk B, Rodríguez MC, Mazzeo A, Panqueva RDPL, Baldión M, Cañón D, García-Herreros LG, Pinzón B, Hernández LJ, Silva YA. An asbestos contaminated town in the vicinity of an asbestos-cement facility: The case study of Sibaté, Colombia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108464. [PMID: 31229775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The asbestos industry began operations in Colombia in 1942, with an asbestos-cement facility located in the municipality of Sibaté. In recent years residents from Sibaté have been complaining about what they consider is an unusually large number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the town. A study to analyze the situation of Sibaté started in 2015, to verify if the number of asbestos related diseases being diagnosed were higher than expected, and to identify potential asbestos exposure sources in the town. METHODS A health and socioeconomic survey was implemented door-to-door to identify potential asbestos-related diseases. Several self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified, and for confirmation purposes, copies of the medical record with the histopathology report were obtained. A panel of six physicians analyzed the medical records. Information of validated cases was used to estimate the male and female age-adjusted incidence rate for Sibaté. Based on reports of the existence of potential asbestos-contaminated landfills, topographic maps, a digital elevation model, and current satellite images were crossed using a geographic information system to identify potential landfilled areas, and soils samples were collected in some of these areas. RESULTS A total of 355 surveys were completed, and 29 self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified. Twenty-five of these cases have been persons who had lived at some moment of their lives in Sibaté. It was possible to obtain copies of the medical diagnosis for 17 cases. Of these, the panel of physicians classified 15 cases as certain pleural mesothelioma, one as probable, and one as not mesothelioma. Based on this information, the estimated age-adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma in Sibaté was 3.1 × 105 persons-year for males and 1.6 × 105 persons-year for females. These rates are high in comparison to those reported in other cities, regions, and countries of the world. Using geographic information systems, landfilled zones in the urban area of Sibaté were identified, on top of which a school and different sports facilities were built. The analysis of four soil samples collected in landfilled zones, confirmed the existence of an underground layer of friable and non-friable asbestos. CONCLUSION The collected evidence suggests the presence of a malignant pleural mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - María Fernanda Cely-García
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Giraldo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Pietro Comba
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Ascoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - María Camila Rodríguez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocio Del Pilar López Panqueva
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Baldión
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana Cañón
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Bibiana Pinzón
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Yordi Alejandro Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Paustenbach D. Re: Comments on Egilman's response to Hessel regarding the health hazards of brake dust and his reflections on corporate behavior. Am J Ind Med 2019; 62:616-624. [PMID: 31187508 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Algranti E, Ramos-Bonilla JP, Terracini B, Santana VS, Comba P, Pasetto R, Mazzeo A, Cavariani F, Trotta A, Marsili D. Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective. Ann Glob Health 2019; 85:49. [PMID: 30924615 PMCID: PMC6634328 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asbestos consumption in Latin America (LA) amounts to 10% of yearly global production. Little is known about the impact of asbestos exposure in the region. OBJECTIVE To discuss scientific and socio-economic issues and conflicts of interest and to summarize epidemiological data of asbestos health effects in LA. DISCUSSION Recent data on chrysotile strengthened the evidence of its carcinogenicity and showed an excessive risk of lung cancer at cumulative exposure levels as low as 1.5 fibre-years/ml. Technology for substitution is available for all asbestos-containing products and ceasing asbestos production and manufacturing will not result in unemployment and loss of income, except for the mining industry. The flawed arguments used by the industry to maintain its market, both to the public and in courtrooms, strongly relies on the lack of local evidence of the ill effects and on the invisibility of asbestos-related diseases in LA, due to the limited number of studies and the exposed workers' difficulty accessing health services. The few epidemiological studies available show clear evidence of clusters of mesothelioma in municipalities with a history of asbestos consumption and a forecasted rise in its incidence in Argentina and Brazil for the next decade. In Brazil, non-governmental organizations of asbestos workers were pivotal to counterbalance misinformation and inequities, ending recently in a Supreme Court decision backing an asbestos ban. In parallel, continuous efforts should be made to stimulate the growth of competent and ethical researchers to convey adequate information to the scientific community and to the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vilma S. Santana
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BR
| | - Pietro Comba
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, IT
| | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, IT
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- School of Arts, Humanities, and Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Bologna, IT
| | - Fulvio Cavariani
- Centro Regionale Amianto Lazio Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Unità Sanitaria Locale, Viterbo, IT
| | - Andrés Trotta
- Instituto de Salud Colectiva (ISCo)/Institute of Collective Health, Universidad Nacional de Lanús (UNLa)/National University of Lanús, Buenos Aires, AR
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, IT
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Poland CA, Duffin R. The toxicology of chrysotile-containing brake debris: implications for mesothelioma. Crit Rev Toxicol 2019; 49:11-35. [DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2019.1568385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Craig A. Poland
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rodger Duffin
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Concept Life Sciences, Dundee, UK
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Huo T, Dong F, Deng J, Zhang Q, Ye W, Zhang W, Wang P, Sun D. In vitro genotoxicity of asbestos substitutes induced by coupled stimulation of dissolved high-valence ions and oxide radicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:22356-22367. [PMID: 28766145 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9796-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The wide use of asbestos and its substitutes has given rise to studies on their possible harmful effects on human health and environment. However, their toxic effects remain unclear. The present study was aimed to disclose the coupled effects of dissolved high-valence ions and oxide radicals using the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of chrysotile (CA), nano-SiO2 (NS), ceramic fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF), and rock wool (RW) on Chinese hamster lung cells V79. All samples induced cell mortality correlated well with the chemical SiO2 content of asbestos substitutes and the amount of dissolved Si. Alkali or alkaline earth metal elements relieved mortality of V79 cells; Al2O3 reinforced toxicity of materials. Asbestos substitutes generated lasting, increasing amount of acellular ·OH which formed at the fiber surface at sites with loose/unsaturated bonds, as well as by catalytic reaction through dissolved iron. Accumulated mechanical and radical stimulation induced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, morphology change, and deviating trans-membrane ion flux. The cellular ROS appeared as NS > GF > CF ≈ CA > RW, consistent with cell mortality rather than with acellular ·OH generation. Chromosomal and DNA lesions in V79 cells were not directly associated with the cellular ROS, while influenced by dissolved high-valence irons in the co-culture medium. In conclusion, ions from short-time dissolution of dust samples and the generation of extracellular ·OH presented combined effects in the elevation of intracellular ROS, which further synergistically induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Huo
- Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Faqin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
| | - Jianjun Deng
- Clinical Laboratory, Mianyang 404 Hospital, Mianyang, 621010, China
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Qingbi Zhang
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Wei Ye
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Pingping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Dongping Sun
- Institute of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
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Valenzuela M, Giraldo M, Gallo-Murcia S, Pineda J, Santos L, Ramos-Bonilla JP. Recent Scientific Evidence Regarding Asbestos Use and Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure. Curr Environ Health Rep 2018; 3:335-347. [PMID: 27696225 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-016-0109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To justify the continuous use of two million tons of asbestos every year, it has been argued that a safe/controlled use can be achieved. The aim of this review was to identify recent scientific studies that present empirical evidence of: 1) health consequences resulting from past asbestos exposures and 2) current asbestos exposures resulting from asbestos use. Articles with evidence that could support or reject the safe/controlled use argument were also identified. A total of 155 articles were included in the review, and 87 % showed adverse asbestos health consequences or high asbestos exposures. Regarding the safe/controlled use, 44 articles were identified, and 82 % had evidence suggesting that the safe/controlled use is not being achieved. A large percentage of articles with evidence that support the safe/controlled use argument have a conflict of interest declared. Most of the evidence was developed in high-income countries and in countries that have already banned asbestos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Valenzuela
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Giraldo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sonia Gallo-Murcia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliana Pineda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Santos
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1ª Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia.
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16
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Affiliation(s)
- David Egilman
- Warren Alpert Medical School; Brown University; Providence Rhode Island
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17
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Cely-García MF, Curriero FC, Giraldo M, Méndez L, Breysse PN, Durán M, Torres-Duque CA, González-García M, Pérez C, Parada P, Ramos-Bonilla JP. Factors Associated With Non-compliance of Asbestos Occupational Standards in Brake Repair Workers. ANNALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2016; 60:1020-35. [PMID: 27234376 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mew028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Asbestos and non-asbestos containing brake products are currently used in low- and middle-income countries like Colombia. Because brake products are distributed detached from their supports, they require manipulation before installation, which release fibers and expose workers. Previous studies of our research group have documented exposures in excess of the widely accepted 0.1 f/cm(3) exposure guideline. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with non-compliance of the 8-h time weighted average (TWA) 0.1 f/cm(3) asbestos occupational limit among brake mechanics (i.e. riveters). Eighteen brake repair shops (BRS) located in Bogotá (Colombia) were sampled during 3 to 6 consecutive days for the entire work-shift. Personal and short-term personal samples were collected following NIOSH methods 7400 and 7402. Longitudinal based logistic regression models were used to determine the association between the odds of exceeding the 8-h TWA 0.1 f/cm(3) asbestos occupational limit and variables such as type of tasks performed by workers, workload (number of products manipulated daily), years of experience as riveters, and shop characteristics. These models can be used to estimate the odds of being currently or historically overexposed when sampling data do not exist. Since the information required to run the models can vary for both retrospective and current asbestos occupational exposure studies, three models were constructed with different information requirements. The first model evaluated the association between the odds of non-compliance with variables related to the workload, the second model evaluated the association between the odds of non-compliance with variables related to the manipulation tasks, and the third model evaluated the association between the odds of non-compliance with variables related with both the type of tasks performed by workers and the workload. Variables associated with the odds of non-compliance included conducting at least one manipulation activity with beveling and grinding of asbestos and non-asbestos containing brake products during the work shift, the location of the worker in the shop during non-manipulation activities, cleaning activities of the manipulation area, the years of experience working as riveters, and the number of asbestos and non-asbestos containing brake products manipulated daily. These models could be useful for current and retrospective occupational studies, in determining the odds of non-compliance of the asbestos occupational limit among brake mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernanda Cely-García
- 1.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 Este #19A-40 ML328, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Frank C Curriero
- 2.Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Margarita Giraldo
- 1.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 Este #19A-40 ML328, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Lorena Méndez
- 1.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 Este #19A-40 ML328, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Patrick N Breysse
- 3.Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Mauricio Durán
- 4.Medical Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia
| | - Carlos A Torres-Duque
- 4.Medical Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia; 5.Research Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia
| | - Mauricio González-García
- 4.Medical Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia
| | - Carolina Pérez
- 4.Medical Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia
| | - Patricia Parada
- 5.Research Department, Fundación Neumológica Colombiana, Cra. 13B #161-85, Bogotá 110131, Colombia
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- 1.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 Este #19A-40 ML328, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
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18
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Marsili D, Terracini B, Santana VS, Ramos-Bonilla JP, Pasetto R, Mazzeo A, Loomis D, Comba P, Algranti E. Prevention of Asbestos-Related Disease in Countries Currently Using Asbestos. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:E494. [PMID: 27187433 PMCID: PMC4881119 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13050494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
More than 40 years of evaluation have consistently confirmed the carcinogenicity of asbestos in all of its forms. This notwithstanding, according to recent figures, the annual world production of asbestos is approximatively 2,000,000 tons. Currently, about 90% of world asbestos comes from four countries: Russia, China, Brazil and Kazakhstan; and the wide use of asbestos worldwide represents a global threat. The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the asbestos health impact and to discuss the role of epidemiological investigations in countries where asbestos is still used. In these contexts, new, "local" studies can stimulate awareness of the size of the problem by public opinion and other stakeholders and provide important information on the circumstances of exposure, as well as local asbestos-related health impacts. This paper suggests an agenda for an international cooperation framework dedicated to foster a public health response to asbestos, including: new epidemiological studies for assessing the health impact of asbestos in specific contexts; socio-cultural and economic analyses for contributing to identifying stakeholders and to address both the local and global implications of asbestos diffusion; public awareness on the health and socio-economic impact of asbestos use and banning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Marsili
- Environment and Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Benedetto Terracini
- Professor of Biostatistics, University of Turin (Now Retired), Turin 10124, Italy.
| | - Vilma S Santana
- Instituto de Saude Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40110-040, Brazil.
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental/Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 110231, Colombia.
| | - Roberto Pasetto
- Environment and Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy.
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy.
| | - Dana Loomis
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon 69372, France.
| | - Pietro Comba
- Environment and Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome 00161, Italy.
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19
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Finkelstein MM. Asbestos fibres in the lungs of an American mechanic who drilled, riveted, and ground brake linings: a case report and discussion. ANNALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2015; 59:525-7. [PMID: 25842376 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mev008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In North America and Europe, the use of asbestos in friction products was discontinued before the end of the 20th century. In the developing world, the use of asbestos-containing friction products continues. In 2010, Cely-Garcia and colleagues (Cely-Garcia et al., 2012) sampled three brake repair shops located in Bogota, Colombia. Both asbestos and non-asbestos containing brake linings were sold separately or attached to a shoe. When brake linings are sold separated from the shoe, they must be manipulated to attach them to the shoe before installation. The process starts with the removal of the old brake shoe from the vehicle's brake drum. If the existing brake shoe is to be reused, the old lining needs to be removed and the old shoe must be ground to prepare it for a new lining. Riveting requires drilling holes in the linings and shoes and before installing rivets, the lining must be countersunk. The borders of the lining are bevelled. On some occasions, the entire exposed surface of the lining is ground to make it thinner. Once attached to the shoe, the edges of brake linings may extend beyond the shoe. In this case, it is necessary to cut or grind the edges to match the lining to the shoe before bevelling or grinding. The authors reported that 'the sampling results indicate that the brake mechanics sampled are exposed to extremely high asbestos concentrations (i.e. based on transmission electron microscopy counts), suggesting that this occupational group could be at excess risk of asbestos-related diseases'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray M Finkelstein
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3L9, Canada
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20
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Damiran N, Silbergeld EK, Frank AL, Lkhasuren O, Ochir C, Breysse PN. Exposure to airborne asbestos in thermal power plants in Mongolia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2015; 21:137-41. [PMID: 25730489 DOI: 10.1179/2049396715y.0000000001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) in Mongolia use various types of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in thermal insulation of piping systems, furnaces, and other products. OBJECTIVE To investigate the occupational exposure of insulation workers to airborne asbestos in Mongolian power plants. METHODS Forty-seven air samples were collected from four power plants in Mongolia during the progress of insulation work. The samples were analyzed by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS The average phase contrast microscopy equivalent (PCME) asbestos fiber concentration was 0·93 f/cm(3). Sixteen of the 41 personal and one of the area samples exceeded the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OSHA) short-term exposure limit of 1·0 f/cm(3). If it is assumed that the short-term samples collected are representative of full-shift exposure, then the exposures are approximately 10 times higher than the US OSHA 8-hour permissible exposure limit of 0·1 f/cm(3). CONCLUSION Power plant insulation workers are exposed to airborne asbestos at concentrations that exceed the US OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit. Action to mitigate the risks should be taken in Mongolia.
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