Although the vast majority of patients with MP report a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, there is a proportion of cases in which it is not possible to clearly identify a source of exposure during their working lives. some of these cases may be due to domestic or environmental exposure “nonoccupational. it is known that cleaning and laundry workers exposed to asbestos exposure is a source able to produce MP in relatives who perform this activity. have also identified environmental exposure situations with high risk of MP in some rural areas of Greece and Turkey in which the soil is rich in fibers similar to asbestos or erionite as tremolite (1). but, the population in other geographical enclaves with rich soils erionite no MP, so the MP high familial aggregation in certain populations in the region of Cappadocia (Turkey), seems due to genetic determinants. In these families minimal exposure to asbestos or erionite may be sufficient to cause MP (2).
The non-occupational exposure which may increase the risk of MP significantly, was treated in detail in the doctoral thesis of Dr. Sharp (1), thesis presented by so-called “Scandinavian approach” that lists a series of scientific publications topic selected by the author published in several scientific journals of impact. Dr. Sharp defines various levels of risk of non-occupational exposure, obviously lower than occupational exposure. this will define the exposure of domestic origin or intensity likely medium / high, or environmental source of high or medium intensity probability / high. the exposure of domestic intermediate / high refers to the presence in the home of material likely to release asbestos fibers, or to manipulation by the user of asbestos material or active manipulation of the work clothing of a asbestos worker. the current environmental exposure medium / high or high probability corresponds to the residence within a radius of less than 2 km of asbestos mines or quarries or factories or industries using asbestos in some form and in large numbers, such as plants asbestos-cement, smelting, refining, storage of building materials containing asbestos.
The core of the thesis of Dr. Sharp (1), is evidence that there is a level of safety for exposure to asbestos in their ability to produce MP. therefore regulations on minimum allowable dose and protective (in the work environment) are always inadequate and the only viable solution is a total ban on the manufacture, use and marketing of asbestos, as fortunately already been achieved in recent years Europe. the ban of asbestos use in the U.S., in part prompted by the wave of litigation that resulted in fantastic economic losses to the industry arising from the compensation to the victims, made substantial progress on other countries, which seems to have already borne fruit . as in Europe the highest incidence of MP is estimated will take at least 10 years to produce in America seem to have already peaked as a result of progress in the prohibition of asbestos. Unfortunately, only 40 countries had banned the asbestos until 2005. the economic interests of major powers asbestos producers and exporters, including Canada, continue to block the call of the scientific community and international total ban on asbestos (3-4).
Pleural Mesothelioma and Environmental Exposure
Pleural Mesothelioma and Environmental Exposure | Lung Cancer Info