0386 Exposure Registries as a Tool for Epidemiology

Occupational asbestos exposure after the ban: a job exposure matrix developed in Italy

Background

Asbestos is a well-known carcinogen for humans. The aim of this study is to develop a tool to estimate occupational asbestos exposure in Italy after the ban using information collected in a national dataset.

Methods

Data were collected from firm registries of workers exposed to asbestos in the period 1996–2016. Descriptive statistics (arithmetic mean, standard deviation, geometric mean and geometric standard deviation) were calculated for the main exposure-related variables (activity sector, occupational group and exposure period). An estimate of workers potentially exposed to asbestos was also performed.

Results

A total of 19 704 airborne measurements of asbestos exposure was selected from the national database of occupational exposures in the sectors of asbestos abatement. Overall, a geometric mean of 7.93 f l−1 was found, and chrysotile was the asbestos type that had more exposures (41%). A total of 46 422 workers was estimated to be potentially at asbestos exposure risk. Exposure data were summarized by calendar period, activity sector and occupational group.

Conclusions

The construction of a job exposure matrix for different occupation/industry combinations may allow the assessment of occupational exposure to asbestos in several removal and disposal activities, and the estimate of the risks associated with asbestos-related diseases in epidemiological studies.

Reporting on work-related low back pain: data sources, discrepancies and the art of discovering truths

Work-related pain is unique in the pain context as it is, in theory, tied to one or more workplace activities and is therefore preventable. Back pain is a leading cause of lost workplace productivity, absence from work and reduced quality of life. Aggregate estimates of the work-related contribution to the overall burden of back pain vary, which may reflect incomplete reporting, inconsistency in data collection and coding between studies and jurisdictions, or, alternatively, genuine differences between occupational groups and countries. It is therefore important for researchers, policy analysts and program development personnel in the fields of pain medicine and occupational medicine to have a thorough understanding of the appropriate use and inherent limitations of the data sources which report on this topic.

Occupational exposure in the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in Italy

PURPOSE

A great variety of asbestos-containing materials are present in both residential and work settings because of the widespread use made in the past, and many occupational activities still entail the risk of asbestos exposure in Italy, more than 2 decades after the total national ban, mainly those involved in the removal and disposal of asbestos. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level and extent of asbestos exposure in Italy between the years 1996-2013 in the sector of asbestos abatement.

METHODS

Data were collected from firm registries of asbestos-exposed workers and descriptive statistics were calculated for exposure-related variables.

RESULTS

Overall, 15,860 measurements of asbestos exposure were selected from the national database of registries, mostly referring to the construction sector (N = 11,353). Despite the mean exposure levels are low, the air concentration of asbestos fibers measured during these activities may overcome the action level established by the Italian legislation and, in a limited number of cases, can exceed even the occupational limit value. Among occupations at higher risk, there are also garbage collectors and insulation workers.

CONCLUSIONS

Starting from the analysis of the Italian database of occupational exposure registries, this study outlines the current levels of asbestos exposure in abatement-related sectors, discussing their possible implications for public health policies and surveillance programs.