The Study on Reducing Health Risks caused by Asbestos after Disaster

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Claud Preston
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1 The Study on Reducing Health Risks caused by Asbestos after Disaster 1st Annual Conference of the International Society for IDRiM 2010 Sep.1 th -Sep 4 th,2010,viena Masahide Sakamoto Senshu University, Kawasaki-city,Japan msakamoto@isc.senshu-u.ac.jp

2 Contents Introduction Framework to reduce health damage caused by asbestos Preventive System for Asbestos Damages Recommendation

3 Background Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake(kobe earthquake) which hit Kobe, Japan in 1995 enlighted the existence of mesothelioma victims by building collapse or demolition works asbestos exposure. It is assumed that victims of mesothelioma would spread more in near future. It is in urge to find systems to compensate those possibly victims, and prevent for future disaster.

4 Introduction

5 Objective In order to alleviate the asbestos victims caused by earthquake disaster; To propose the framework to reduce health damage caused by asbestos. To establish a comprehensive asbestos damage relief system.

6 Framework to reduce health damage caused by asbestos

7 Case study of the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake Kobe Earthquake The earthquake occurred in the Hanshin area and Awaji island on 17 January More than 6,000 people killed More than 170,000 of buildings were collapsed or damaged. The use of asbestos spray was prohibited in More than 80% of the imported asbestos was used as building material The risk increase of asbestos harm accompanied with the collapse of buildings and the dismantling operations From aid.co.jp/asbestos/report/kinky.htm#chapter1 No preventive measures was taken for dusts spread during dismantling operation of the collapsed buildings

More than 80% of the imported asbestos was used as building material The risk increase of asbestos harm accompanied with the collapse of buildings and the

8 The spread of asbestos damage after Kobe Earthquake It was shown that the numbers of asbestos fibers in certain dismantled buildings were in the range from 160 to 250/l, 2500 times as higher than present standards. The worker engaged in the dismantling operation of the collapsed buildings presented symptoms of mesothelioma in February Very fast mesothelioma onset!!

9 Preventive System for Asbestos Damages

10 What is the mesothelioma? Survival rate Generally, Symptom appear 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos 50% surviving 1 year and 20% surviving 2 years after presenting symptom Cause of the mesothelioma Occupational exposure Para occupational secondly exposure Environmental exposure Asbestos in buildings

asbestos 50% surviving 1 year and 20% surviving 2 years after presenting

11 Prevention Before disaster (Prevention) The adequate recovery and discard of asbestos products targeted mainly for buildings The creation of the dismantling operation manual prepared for earthquake disasters The check of buildings and the removal of air-borne asbestos Post-disaster The distribution and utilization of the masks for powder dusts The implementation of the appropriate dismantling operations for the building with air- borne asbestos. The administration of the waste materials of earthquake disaster and the securement of the disposal field The cost of the asbestos measures is extremely high The cost burden in accordance with the usage of asbestos The cost burden for the asbestos foundation The copayment from tax

of the appropriate dismantling operations for the building with air- borne asbestos.

12 Asbestos Compensation system in Japan Standards for Asbestos Health Damage The designated disease Mesothelioma, Asbestos-related lung cancer, Asbestos lung, Diffuse pleural thickening, Pneumoconiosis The medical knowledge The medical certificate of the attending doctor, The medical certification of the pathological tissue, The picture image (CT, Chest X-ray and so on),the survey report for such as the pleural effusion The contents of benefits The medical care cost, The allowance for medical cares ($1222 /Month) The lump-sum funeral allowance ($2340) The bail-out benefit adjusted account ($ Total amount of the issued allowances for medical care)

picture image (CT, Chest X-ray and so on),the survey report for such as the pleural effusion The contents of benefits The medical care cost, The allowance for

13 New Compensation System for victims To reduce economical burden Increase financial support Facilitate application standards for asbestos health damage To reduce psychological burden Facilitate application procedure for health damage compensation system. Psychological care: counseling Improvement of living conditions: Dispatch of social worker, care helper No discussion on these issues

Facilitate application procedure for health damage compensation system.

14 Still many problems..

15 The health damage of asbestos concerned with the reconstructed housings houses:the case example of Banda Ache in Indonesia 1 The walls of recovery houses made from asbestos panels The rapid spread of health damages of residents The risk of the outspread of asbestos harm (secondary disaster) after the earthquake disaster. 2 The usage of asbestos panels was attributed to the thrift of the construction cost (environment conservation cost). The short-term cost reduction effect is only emphasized and the long-term incurred expenses are neglected. Raising the structural problems of pollution damages in Japan and the capitalist economic system The pursuit of benefits by scrimping the environment conservation cost causes the secondary disaster (asbestos harm) after earthquake disaster

2 The usage of asbestos panels was attributed to the thrift of the construction cost (environment conservation cost).

16 Recommendations: In order to alleviate the asbestos damages after the earthquake disaster To promote preventive measures International cooperation for exchanges experiences and knowledge to reduce future risks. The construction of an inclusive compensation system for disaster victims The construction of a cost burden system for entire society on measures and compensations The inclusive measure is important

17 Thank you!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about asbestos related diseases

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about asbestos related diseases 1. What are the main types of asbestos lung disease? In the human body, asbestos affects the lungs most of all. It can affect both the spongy