[Occupational and non-occupational effects of asbestos]. / Uber berufliche und ausserberufliche Asbestwirkungen.

Forty-eight cases of mesothelioma from the National Cancer Register, and 19 cases of pleural plaques were investigated for non-occupational exposure to asbestos, and compared with results obtained in earlier studies on occupational asbestos-induced lesions. The results of the investigation confirmed reports in the literature indicating that even in the non-occupational area, asbestos represents a non-negligible risk, in particular for diseases of the lungs. Individual causes proved to be the cleaning by members of the family of working clothes contaminated with asbestos in 46% of the cases, followed by the use of asbestos-containing materials in the household (20.9%) or in connection with leisure activities (14.9%). In addition, exposure to asbestos fibre emissions of people living close to an asbestos-processing plant were observed. Recognition of the condition as an occupation-related disease is not possible. The consequence to be drawn from these data is that, in accordance with present regulations, the use of asbestos-free materials in the home and in the area of leisure activities must be promoted. In this way, such lesions can be avoided in the future.

A mortality study of a cohort of slate quarry workers in the German Democratic Republic.

Following reports from other countries indicating an excess risk of lung cancer among silicotics, a historical cohort of workers employed for at least one year at a company in charge of slate extraction and processing during the period 1953-1985 in the German Democratic Republic has been constructed and followed up for mortality from 1970 to 1985. The results of the study show a mortality excess for infectious and respiratory diseases. The overall lung cancer mortality is not in excess but shows a tendency to increase with time since first exposure. A mortality excess from lung cancer is concentrated among workers receiving compensation for silicosis, suggesting a possible carcinogenic risk for individuals suffering from this pathological condition.

[Evaluation] of chronic dust-induced bronchitis as an occupational disease]. / Zur Begutachtung der chronischen Staubbronchitis als Berufskrankheit.

Recommendations for announcement and legal recognition of dust induced chronic bronchitis are presented. They rely on practice and aim for improvements and support for decision finding in medical reports. Basic criteria for legal recognition are intensity and duration of exposure, temporal relations between development of disease and exposure as well as type and grade of disease. The problem of demarcating non-occupational factors of influence is discussed. Legal recognition of dust induced bronchitis as an occupational disease can be achieved in a a special procedure.

Malignant pericardial mesotheliomas and asbestos exposure: a case report.

Three cases of malignant pericardial mesotheliomas are presented with evidence of occupational asbestos exposure. Examination results are compared with findings from experimental and epidemiological research on biological effects of asbestos dust. There are sufficient indications that time-limited effects of asbestos dust established either by measurements or assessment of the amount of concentration after a latency of more than 20 years are apt to result in the development of mesotheliomas of the pleura and peritoneum and, moreover, the pericardium. It is suggested that malignant pericardial mesothelioma also be recognized as another form of occupational disease caused by asbestos dust.

[Risk factor asbestos (author's transl)]. / Risikofaktor Asbest aus arbeitsmedizinischer Sicht.

In the G.D.R. asbestos is used at a large industrial scale. The material is of interest for oncologists and industrial hygienists due to its fibrogenic and cancerogenic potencies. Both carcinomas of the respiratory organs and the rare malignant mesotheliomas are accepted as occupational diseases due to asbestos. In a retrospective study 915 cases of malignant mesotheliomas covered by the National Cancer Registry over a period of 6 years--all histologically established--were analysed. 36.7% originated from occupational handling of asbestos, 0.8% by non-occupational asbestos contacts. In another 9.1% of the cases asbestos may have been the underlying cause. 33.7% have had no asbestos contact; for 19.7% the data available were insufficient. Among the asbestos-containing materials used packing and insulating materials were prevailing in 47.7%, asbestos-containing talc in 19.6%. In 6.9% of the cases mesothelioma affection was due to wearing fire protective clothing. Different duration of exposure and especially long latency periods demonstrates difficulties interpreting the results concerning the relation between working conditions and illness. Primary (technical) prevention by reduction of asbestos dust emission, limited use of asbestos and lifelong monitoring of asbestos workers are necessary to reduce the tumour risk.

[Importance of the work environment for the respiratory system]. / Die Bedeutung der Arbeitsumwelt für das Atmungsorgan.

In the working process a great number of dusts, gases and smokes affect on the respiratory organs which may lead to fibrogenic, irritative, toxic, cancerogenic or allergic reactions, when the norms of industrial hygiene are not observed. In addition to this come still infective agents. Also communal surroundings, habits of life and medicaments are able to impair the respiratory organ with concurrent noxae. Among the professional diseases which are annually acknowledged about 1,200 (10%) concern the respiratory organ. Apart from the classical professional diseases silicosis and asbestosis unspecific diseases of the respiratory organ, carcinomas and allergoses come into the foreground of interest. The report needs special knowledge in the field of professional medicine and an analysis of the working conditions. The observation of the MAK-values is the prerequisite for the prophylaxis and prevention. For noxae with biologic long-term effects the life-long control of the exposed persons is necessary.