Historical Asbestos Exposures in South American Countries: Bolivia
Abstract No:
1480
Abstract Type:
Professional Poster
Authors:
K Hitchcock1
Institutions:
1Ramboll, Tennille, GA
Presenter:
Kristen Hitchcock
Ramboll
Description:
Due to the latency periods associated with asbestos-related malignancies, it is important for risk assessment professionals to evaluate a person's potential for asbestos exposures throughout their life, including time spent living in other countries. Bolivia is one of three countries in South America that do not apply restrictions to the use of asbestos; and it has historically been a source of mined asbestos, notably crocidolite, or "blue," asbestos. However, a source of information and data are lacking on the situation in Bolivia, including mesothelioma rates, locations of mines, and uses of asbestos. This poster summarizes the potential for environmental and industrial exposure to asbestos and the current knowledge of asbestos use and regulations in Bolivia.
Situation / Problem:
In the US, the incidence of malignant mesothelioma has remained steady, despite increased regulations and decreased use beginning more than 50 years ago. Additionally, the asbestos litigation model in the US often fails to adequately assess asbestos exposures that people may have experienced in other countries, including Bolivia, prior to the onset of their disease. Bolivia has historically imported and exported asbestos; and the use of asbestos continues, with some oversite by the government. There are some data available describing mesothelioma rates in Bolivia; however, there has also been some disagreement in the literature about the potency of the asbestos fibers mined in the country. It is imperative that risk assessors understand the historical asbestos landscape in Bolivia when assessing asbestos-related diseases.
Methods:
The authors of the poster performed a comprehensive review of the published scientific literature from pubmed.gov (National Library of Medicine database), Google Scholar, and government documents.. The authors considered the scientific literature pertaining to industrial and environmental sources of asbestos in Bolivia which have been implicated as causal inducers of asbestos-related diseases. The research was limited to scientific literature published (or translated from a credible source) in English.
Results / Conclusions:
This poster will explore the numerous opportunities for asbestos exposure, including amphibole types, in Bolivia, many of which have been unrecognized by Plaintiffs in US toxic tort litigation. The authors identified several asbestos industries (including asbestos-cement factories and mining operations) and other key factors that influenced asbestos exposure for workers and residents in Bolivia. The poster will include a map and key of these findings with the expectation of allowing risk assessors to understand the nature of these historical uses and environmental locations in Bolivia and the potential impact to immigrants in the US.
Core Competencies:
Risk Assessment
Secondary Core Competencies:
Exposure Assessment
Risk Management
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Asbestos, lead, and dust
Exposure Assessment
Risk assessment and management
Based on the selected primary competency area of your proposal, select one group below that would be best suited to serve as a subject matter expert for peer review:
(Select one)
Risk Committee
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
No
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
This poster will assist IH/OH professionals tasked with evaluating historical asbestos exposures to understand the risk in Bolivia due to the environmental and industrial sources of asbestos and other EMPs. To ensure an individual's asbestos exposure history is appropriately evaluated, it is imperative that all lifetime exposures are understood and assessed; however, resources and accessibility to available information can hinder this process. This poster aims to bridge the knowledge gap by summarizing all the available information known to date as it relates specifically to asbestos exposures in Bolivia.
What level would you consider your presentation content geared towards?
Introductory: Introduces an elementary or basic subject area. Participant expected to have zero (0) to two (2) years of experience in industrial hygiene or OEHS, or a technical career path. Prerequisite: general knowledge.
Have you presented this information before?
No
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes
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