IS ONE-OFF EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS PERILOUS?

The specialists Baas and Burgers go into this article extensively in an article in the Dutch Journal of Medicine (see message in this newsletter). Paul Baas and Sjaak Burgers are, respectively, former and current chairman of the Mesothelioma working group of the pulmonologists association NVALT closely involved in the topic of asbestos and health. After a possible exposure to asbestos, they first have to make a real estimate of the size of the asbestos exposure and thus the chance of adverse health effects. Usually it is then possible to proceed to reassurance of the victims.

The article also states that there is a clear relationship between the amount of asbestos to which one is exposed and the chance of getting lung cancer, mesothelioma and laryngeal cancer. The risk of a single exposure depends on the duration of the exhibition, the concentration of inhaled fibers and the type of asbestos fiber. For white asbestos (chrysotile), for example, the chance of mesothelioma is relatively small, while in combination with smoking the risk of lung cancer increases. For blue (crocidolite) or brown (tremolite) asbestos the chance of mesothelioma is many times greater and no relation with smoking is known. It must also be established whether the asbestos is bonded (1).

The newly updated IAS Monitor on the IAS website seems to confirm that the likelihood of victims becoming ill through one-off exposure is small or perhaps zero (2). Nearly 90% of the mesothelioma patients are male: a clear sign that the cause of illness with working with asbestos is related. It can be seen from the asbestos risk sectors and occupations that the cause was in situations in which fire-resistant or heat-resistant asbestos-based applications were used in the past. Such as in the shipbuilding and metal and electrical industries, or in professions as a mechanic or a banker.

The most important step that a person can take himself to minimize the adverse effects of incidental asbestos exposure is to stop smoking, according to Dr. Baas and Dr. Burgers. On the basis of the IAS Monitor and other knowledge gathered by the IAS, the highest priority should in any case be given to protecting employees who are at risk of coming into contact with asbestos and cleaning up locations and materials with regard to asbestos policy. in particular asbestos as fire-resistant material has been used.