Asbestos-exposed populations: prevention, care, and compensation

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Prev. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-7435(84)90085-9· OSTI ID:5947539

Richter, E D; Tulchinsky, T; Goldsmith, J R; Yaffe, Y

In Israel, the prevention and care of asbestos-associated diseases with latency periods of one to four decades (asbestosis, mesothelioma, increased frequency of cancer of the lung and other sites) are not satisfactory, and new national policies are required. Such policies have three major goals: (a) elimination or reduction of exposure to asbestos dust; (b) measures to promote cessation or drastic reduction of cigarette smoking among those currently or formerly exposed; and (c) equitable compensation for the consequences of past exposures. The practical elements of a program to achieve these three goals include (a) exposure standards and control technology; (b) identification of sources, routes, and levels of exposure and groups at risk; (c) compensation and job security; (d) medical monitoring and follow-up; (e) smoking cessation; (f) selective substitution of other substances for asbestos; and (g) establishment of a panel for policy supervision and the overseeing of compensation programs. Delay in implementation risks higher death rates for asbestosis and cancer among previously exposed workers, greater exposure among current workers, loss of experienced workers from the work force, and unnecessary hardship for families not adequately compensated.

• Research Organization: Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem, Israel
• OSTI ID: 5947539
• Journal Information: Prev. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Prev. Med.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN PVTMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ASBESTOS
BODY
COLLOIDS
CONTROL
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LATENCY PERIOD
LUNGS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
NEOPLASMS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
SMOKES
SOLS
SURVEILLANCE
TOBACCO SMOKES