Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
; : 68-2016.
Article
in English
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-173884
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
In 2009, Korea banned the import, transport, and use of asbestos, and the Asbestos Injury Relief Act (AIRA) was promulgated in 2011. Two environmental health centers for asbestos (EHCA), including Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (PNUYH) and SoonChunHyang University Cheonan Hospital (SCHUCH), were adapted to find environmental asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) and to support the purposes of AIRA. EHCA conducted a health impact survey (HIS) on persons who resided or reside near asbestos factories or mines. A total of 13,433 persons have taken screening examinations in PNUYH EHCA, and 623 persons (4.6%) have had secondary examinations. Of the 21,014 persons who had screening examinations in SCHUCH EHCA, 2490 persons (11.8%) had secondary examinations. Some of those who tested positive for ARDs through HISs filed applications for the asbestos victims’ medical pocketbook (AVMP). Approximately 116 and 612 persons received AVMPs as a result of PNUYH and SCHUCH examinees, respectively. EHCAs have conducted HISs, public relations, and education for asbestos victims, ordinary citizens, and physicians. As HISs are based on voluntary participation, they does not monitor high-risk groups. Active surveillance focusing on high-risk groups has been blocked by the personal information protection act. Although important work has been performed in finding environmental asbestos victims and increasing public awareness on asbestos, it is necessary to improve the current system and registration.
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases
/
Target 3.9: Reduce the amount of deaths produced by dangerous chemicals and the pollution of the air, water and soil
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Asbestos
/
Public Relations
/
Mass Screening
/
Environmental Health
/
Computer Security
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Compensation and Redress
/
Education
/
Korea
/
Lung Neoplasms
/
Mesothelioma
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Screening study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article