ABSTRACT
Malignant pleural mesothelioma MPM is an increasing problem in Egypt. It is highly related to the use of asbestos in many industries. The problem is not restricted to the small population with work exposure but it is actually a public health problem affecting the large population living within the vicinity of asbestos using factories. Asbestos has been recognized in Egypt since a long time as ancient Egyptians were using it in mummification. Industrialization utilizing asbestos started in Egypt since 1948. Now, there are 14 asbestos factories in Egypt. Asbestos is imported from Russia and Canada and used for the manufacture of asbestos-cement pipes, roofing and wall paneling, valves, ropes, joints, breaks and clutch parts. So, mesothelioma in Egypt is mainly attributed to environmental origin with a relatively high incidence in women and as well as young adults. Epidemiological data for 635 malignant mesothelioma patients over 4 years in the 3rd mellinium were collected from the National Cancer Institute NCI and Abbassia Chest hospital. Residential exposure was clear in 64.7% of cases. The recorded frequency at NCI, Cairo in the last 11 years of the 2nd mellinium, was 148 cases. NCI hospital-based registry showed an increase in the relative frequency of MPM from 0.47% during 2001, to 1.3% during 2003. Field study of the residential area surrounding the oldest asbestos producing plant in Egypt showed that asbestos waste is improperly disposed off in the surrounding residential region. Repeated airborne asbestos samples were collected. Results showed different counts of asbestos fibers in those residential areas ranging from 0.002 f/cc, 7 kilomters from the factory, to 3.02 f/cc few meters of the fence of 3 schools just adjacent to the factory. Conclusion: MPM is a silent killer. All measures towards eliminating it entirely or at least strictly controlling human contact with this dangerous carcinogen have to be taken in order to combat the coming epidemic of mesothelioma in Egypt