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Background Exposure to asbestos causes non-malignant and malignant diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The modern history of such diseases goes back more than a century. Main text While much is known about the ability of asbestos to cause disease, the carcinogenic mechanism is not yet understood. Continuing legitimate scientific questions include such issues as potential differential toxicity and carcinogenicity of different fiber types. Illegitimate issues include the supposed “safe” use of asbestos, and the chrysotile hypothesis. Conclusion Asbestos disease issues are highly politicized and vested economic interests perpetuate false issues regarding the hazards of asbestos.

Background: India has a ship‑breaking yard at Alang in Gujarat. The workers are prone to being exposed to various hazardous chemicals, including asbestos. These workers are often interstate migrants, and there is a chance of them developing diseases caused by asbestos, manifesting decades after exposure. This includes mesothelioma, which is a malignancy caused by asbestos exposure and can manifest much after the cessation of their employment. Objective: In the absence of an operational national database of migrants, it is important to understand the source of migrants to trace future disease occurrence, especially after retiring to their home states. This study aims to find the Indian districts from which workers migrate to work at Alang‑Sosiya ship‑breaking yards. Methods: The current study uses the Right to Information Act, 2005, to find out the districts of residents of migrant workers that came to Alang in 2019 as a representative year. Findings and conclusion: The data point to districts in three states: Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, and have important policy consequences and epidemiological importance as these can be used to understand the aetiology of asbestos‑related diseases.

Aim Mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure. In this case series, we present 166 cases of individuals who had substantial asbestos exposure to cosmetic talc products as well as some who had potential or documented additional exposures to other asbestos-containing products and who subsequently developed mesothelioma. Methods Data were gathered for all subjects referred to an occupational and environmental medicine specialist as part of medicolegal review. Years of total cosmetic talcum powder usage was noted as well as the latency from the onset of talcum powder use to the mesothelioma diagnosis. Alternate asbestos exposure in addition to the exposure from cosmetic talc was categorized as none, possible, likely, and definite. Results In 122 cases, the only known exposure to asbestos was from cosmetic talc. For 44 cases, potential or documented alternate exposures in addition to the cosmetic talc were described. Conclusion Cumulative exposure to asbestos leads to mesothelioma; for individuals with mixed exposures to asbestos, all exposures should be considered. Use of cosmetic talc is often overlooked as a source of asbestos exposure. All individuals with mesothelioma should have a comprehensive history of asbestos exposure, including cosmetic talc exposure.

The primary uses of asbestos in Mongolia are in thermal power plants, construction and at railway companies. There is, however, limited data on both asbestos consumption and asbestos related disease (ARD) in Mongolia. The purpose of this paper is to report on the failure to completely ban asbestos in Mongolia. To write this paper, available asbestos related literature, published nationally and internationally, and legal regulations, national standards and guidelines on asbestos control were reviewed. Mongolia consumed a total of 44,421.9 metric tons of asbestos containing materials (AMCs) between 1996 and 2014. As a key indicator of ARD, 54 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed at the National Cancer Center by pathological testing of tissue samples between 1994 and 2013. In 2010, The government made the decision to stop all types of asbestos use under the Law on Toxic and Hazardous Substances. However, there was no nationwide action plan to gradually reduce asbestos use, promote substitutes and raise awareness of health hazards and economic burdens in the future from asbestos use. There was also no planning for safe removal of asbestos currently in place. After the banning of asbestos, thermal power plants told the government that they could not produce electricity without insulation of AMCs and substitution materials were economically not feasible. Due to pressure from the energy sector and inadequate awareness of asbestos hazards, the government changed the legal status on asbestos in 2011 as a restricted chemical. Asbestos is still allowed to be used, and workers and the general community are still unnecessarily exposed to this carcinogen.

Industries that mine, manufacture and sell asbestos or asbestos-containing products have a long tradition of promoting the use of asbestos, while placing the burden of economic and health costs on workers and society. This has been successfully done in recent years and decades in spite of the overwhelming evidence that all asbestos types are carcinogenic and cause asbestosis. In doing so, the asbestos industry has undermined the WHO campaign to reach a worldwide ban of asbestos and to eliminate asbestos-related diseases. Even worse, in recent years they succeeded in continuing asbestos mining and consuming in the range of about 1.3 million tons annually. Nowadays, production takes place predominantly in Russia, Kazakhstan and China. Chrysotile is the only asbestos type still sold and represents 95% of asbestos traded over the last century. The asbestos industry, especially its PR agency, the International Chrysotile Association, ICA, financed by asbestos mining companies in Russia, Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe and asbestos industrialists in India and Mexico, continues to be extremely active by using slogans such as chrysotile can be used safely. Another approach of the asbestos industry and of some of its insurance agencies is to broadly defeat liability claims of asbestos victims. In doing so they systematically use inappropriate science produced by their own and/or by industry-affiliated researchers. Some of the latter were also engaged in producing defense material for other industries including the tobacco industry. Frequent examples of distributing such disinformation include questioning or denying established scientific knowledge about adverse health effects of asbestos. False evidence continues to be published in scientific journals and books. The persisting strong influence of vested asbestos-related interests in workers and public health issues including regulations and compensation necessitate ongoing alertness, corrections and appropriate reactions in scientific as well as public media and policy advisory bodies.

Abandoned asbestos mines are a potential source of environmental contamination and exposure for nearby residents. The asbestos exposure risk may persist even after the cessation of mining activity if the mine is not properly closed. One such abandoned mine is at Roro Hills in the Jharkhand state of India. There are limited studies examining soil contamination and asbestos exposure to nearby residents due to abandoned mines. The aim of this study is to examine the presence of asbestos in the residential areas of villages surrounding an abandoned asbestos mine and to understand the spread of visible asbestos dust using geographic information system map analysis. This study examined the presence of asbestos in soil samples from four villages surrounding an abandoned asbestos mine using the scanning electron microscopy technique. The study also compared satellite images taken 13 years apart to determine whether the mine waste containing asbestos had spread over time. The soil sample testing indicated that, out of 16 soil samples from residential areas, 12 showed the presence of chrysotile asbestos. It was found in the map analysis that asbestos-containing areas had enlarged by around 20% in those years. The evidence indicated the presence of asbestos in the soil of nearby residential areas around the mine, and this contamination has spread over the years. Similar studies at other mine locations are needed, and timely interventions are warranted to protect nearby residents.

Background: Asbestos, a durable fibrous silicate once widely used for its thermal resistance, remains in use in countries like India and China despite being banned in over 70 nations and classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC. Prolonged occupational exposure causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma, but in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) the true burden is underreported due to weak regulation, low awareness, limited diagnostics, and inadequate occupational health systems. Objectives: This review aimed to examine the epidemiological patterns and diagnostic challenges of Asbestos-Related Disease (ARDs) in emerging economies, with a focus on the applicability and limitations of existing and emerging diagnostic strategies. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, global databases (WHO, IARC), and recent cohort and cross-sectional studies, sourcing articles through structured keyword searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Diagnostic approaches were compared across diverse healthcare settings, emphasizing radiological, histopathological, and functional tools. The review also assessed the utility of newer technologies, including low-dose CT (LDCT), ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), FDG-PET is Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET), breath biomarkers using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and digital tomosynthesis (DTS). Findings: LDCT and ULDCT showed superior sensitivity for early detection of pleural abnormalities like circumscribed pleural plaques and diffuse thickening, yet distinguishing benign from malignant lesions remains difficult without biopsy. Diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) emerged as a sensitive but nonspecific pulmonary function marker. Histopathological confirmation of mesothelioma remains the gold standard but is rarely accessible in low-resource settings. Conclusion: Addressing the diagnostic gap in ARDs in LMICs requires systemic strengthening of occupational health surveillance, better regulatory enforcement, expanded access to advanced diagnostic tools, and targeted clinician training. Without urgent intervention, the burden of asbestos exposure will remain an escalating public health crisis.

Background: Contamination of freshwater sources can be caused by both anthropogenic and natural processes. According to Central Pollution Control Board, Maharashtra along with 2 other states, contribute 80% of hazardous waste generated in India, including heavy metal pollution. Hence, it is important to quantify heavy metal concentrations in drinking water sources in such areas. Materials and methods: Water samples were analyzed for toxic elements (F, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Cr) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Agilent 7500. Health risks due to ingestion and dermal contact was assessed. A total of 557 people were randomly selected, with consumers from all 4 types of water sources that is surface water, hand pump, wells, and municipal water. Spot urine samples were collected from 47 people after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Urine was collected for estimating mercury and arsenic levels in the study participants. Results: Arsenic contributes the most health risk from ingestion from water. Among surface water users, 14 people (32%) reported frequent loose stool (P-value < .05) (OR 2.5), and 11 people (23%) reported frequent abdominal pain (OR 1.9). Hand pump and well water users reported frequent abdominal pain (27%) (OR 1.4) and gastric discomfort (31%) (P-value < .05) (OR 3) respectively. The mean value of urinary Hg and As were 4.91 ± 0.280 and 42.04 ± 2.635 µg/L respectively. Conclusion: Frequent loose stool, gastric discomfort, and frequent abdominal pain were associated with the various sources of drinking water. Urine Hg levels were found higher than the NHANES (USA) Survey. It is recommended that frequent monitoring of drinking water should be enforced around the industrial hub, so that appropriate actions can be taken if present in excess.

Asbestos products are manufactured and used in Sri Lanka in the construction and automobile industries. To determine radiologically if exposure to asbestos caused lung disease among workers handling asbestos products, and to generate data in Sri Lanka where no such data exist due to poor reporting and a poor surveillance system. Following ethics approval and written consent plain chest X-rays and exposure data were obtained in 230 workers in asbestos manufacturing, building construction, building demolition, tsunami debris cleanup, and other trades. The assumption was that all exposed workers were exposed to chrysotile. Participants were from provinces with asbestos factories, and where tsunami cleanup had occurred. Radiological findings of the 230 participants showed lung fibrosis in 7% (16 cases), and other non-asbestos-related lung conditions. Of the 16 fibrosis cases, none were in manufacturing workers, one in a construction worker, six in tsunami workers, six in demolition workers, and three cases in others. Globally, Sri Lanka has one of the highest consumptions of chrysotile asbestos per capita. This first known study documenting asbestos disease in Sri Lanka is clearly a limited, self-selected group of workers studied with obvious limitations. The prevalence of asbestos-related lung disease among tsunami and demolition worker indicates that a risk exists for asbestos material already in use in Sri Lanka. Hence a significant concern is the safety of asbestos demolition workers and cleanup workers exposed to asbestos debris from major natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, typhoons, and tsunamis.

Asbestosis is a prevalent worldwide problem, but scarce data sourced from developing countries are available. We describe the sociodemographic characteristics and patterns in the occurrence of care provided for asbestosis in Colombia during the periods 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 to establish the behavior, trends, and variables associated with concentrations among people attended by asbestosis. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with data from the Integrated Social Protection Information System (SISPRO) for two 5-year periods. People attended by asbestosis (ICD-10: J61) were identified; the frequency of patient visits, sociodemographic characteristics, case distribution patterns, and trends in both five-year periods were described, as was the crude frequency (cFr, 95% CI) of asbestosis (1,000,000 people/year) in both five-year periods (cFr ratio, 95% CI). During the period 2010-2019, 765 people attended by asbestosis were identified; there were 308 people attended by asbestosis between 2010-2014 (cFr: 2.20, 1.96-2.47), and ther were 457 people attended by asbestos between 2015-2019 (cFr: 3.14, 2.92-3.50). In both periods, the estimated cFr in men was nine times the estimated cFr in women. The cFr increased in the 2015-2019 period (cFr_ratio: 1.23, 1.06-1.43). Compared with the 2010-2014 period, the cFr of asbestosis increased in women (cFr_ratio: 1.44, 1.03-2.01), in the Andean (cFr_ratio: 1.61, 1.35-1.95) and Caribbean regions (cFr_ratio: 1. 66, 1.21-2.30), in the urban area (cFr_ratio: 1.24, 1.05-1.48), and in the age groups 45-59 years (cFr_ratio: 1.34, 1.001-1.79) and ≥60 years (cFr_ratio: 1.43, 1.13-1.83). During two five-year periods, the cFr of asbestosis was higher in men; between the first and second five-year periods, it increased significantly, especially in urbanized geographic areas and in populations aged ≥45 years. The estimates possibly reflect the effect of disease latency or the expected impact of public health policies to monitor asbestos exposure and complications.