Asbestos-related disease in Bangladeshi ship breakers: a pilot study.

Abstract

A pilot study tested the feasibility of conducting occupational health research in Bangladesh while examining prevalence of asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, work-related respiratory symptoms, and attitudes to occupational health and safety among a group of internal migrant ship breakers. Data was collected on clinical and work history, respiratory symptoms, and occupational health and safety practices in Bengali. A B-reader read all postero-anterior chest x-rays. In the 104 male ship breakers studied, prevalence of asbestos-related disease was 12%, of which asbestosis accounted for 6%. Knowledge of asbestos and occupational health and safety measures were almost nonexistent. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases is low compared to studies in shipbuilders and repairers, but a risk underestimate could have resulted from challenges identified during study design and implementation including: industry noncooperation and a culture of corruption; technological and language barriers; and a regional lack of physician knowledge and research on occupational diseases.

• Authors: Midori N Courtice, Paul A Demers, Tim K Takaro, Sverre Vedal, S K Ahktar Ahmad, Hugh W Davies, Zakia Siddique
• Journal: International journal of occupational and environmental health (Int J Occup Environ Health) 2011 Apr-Jun Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 144-53 ISSN: 1077-3525 [Print] England
• PMID: 21618946 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Asbestos

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Asbestos (adverse effects)
• Asbestosis (epidemiology)
• Bangladesh (epidemiology)
• Cough (epidemiology)
• Dyspnea (epidemiology)
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mucus
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Occupations
• Pleural Diseases (diagnostic imaging, epidemiology)
• Prevalence
• Radiography
• Ships