Hazards of asbestos in NWFP magnitude of the problem

ABSTRACT

Irregularly controlled, small scale mining of asbestos, without any attention to safety measures, is going on in certain areas of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Asbestos inhalation can cause asbestosis [one of the pneumoconioses], lung cancer and mesothelioma of the pleura. Therefore, some concern has arisen regarding the hazards to the workers and the surrounding community of this uncontrolled mining of asbestos. A survey was undertaken to asses the magnitude of the problem. Consultant physicians, chest physicians, selected general practitioners, oncologists, and histopathologists were interviewed to document the approximate number of cases related to asbestos inhalation seen by them over different periods of time. The records of the histopatholoy departments of the two teaching hospitals of Peshawar and Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine [IRNUM] were checked for the histologically diagnosed cases of mesothelioma over the past 10 years. The results show that 9 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed over the last 5 years and 4 of the 9 cases belong to the Mardan area where in Tangi mining is being carried out. The report points to the concern regarding hazards of asbestos in NWFP and urgent measures for controlling mining of asbestos