Know danger without precaution

Confirming that diseases related to asbestos are classified as dangerous diseases, but the Ministry of Health has not adequately statistics and has not studied in detail the number of people infected with asbestos.

'This is one of the gaps in production management as well as health management of asbestos-related patients' , TS. Pham Van Hai, Director of the Center for Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, Institute of Scientific and Technical Research and Labor Protection confirmed this at the seminar on 'Situation of asbestos management in Vietnam' due to Department of Pollution Control (Organized by the General Department of Environment) on March 16 in Hanoi.

No system research yet

Workers working in asbestos-containing environments have a high risk of cancer.Photos: PN

Statistics of the National Institute of Science and Technology Research show that every year, Vietnam is importing over 60,000 tons of asbestos, of which 90% is used for cement slate production - asbestos, the rest is used. used to produce friction materials for brake parts of motor vehicles, insulating materials. The whole country has about 40 establishments, enterprises producing asbestos-cement roofing sheets with a capacity of over 70 million square meters per year, attracting a workforce of more than 10,000 people.

According to the Survey of the Institute of Science and Technology Research, labor protection, 92.5% of respondents know the harmful effects of asbestos dust, 80% bring home workwear clothes, 70% of washing clothes at home , 50% eat at work and 50% are afraid to use personal protective equipment. But the Ministry of Health's statistics from 1976 to 2006, of the 25,000 cases of dust and gas cough, only four cases of occupational diseases were statistically related to asbestos. This number is incomplete because there is no reason to prove that Vietnamese people have such good resistance to asbestos.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Head of Occupational Health and Injury Department, Department of Preventive Medicine and Environment explains this: 'Over the past 40 years, Vietnam has no systematic in-depth studies. on the impact of asbestos on the health environment of asbestos exposed workers'.

Should the use of asbestos be banned?

Currently, Vietnam has issued a document prohibiting the use of blue and brown asbestos, but in Decision No. 121/2008 / QD-TTg dated August 29, 2008 re-using chrysotile in roofing production by 2020. According to TS. Pham Van Hai: 'This is a long time to protect the health of workers because they are asbestos. Humans inhale asbestos dust, though they are all more or less toxic. Studies around the world indicate this and many countries have banned the production of asbestos-related products'.

Asbestos is not only dangerous to the health of workers directly in the production process but also causes concern even when cement - asbestos roofing products become. 'There is no research to prove the close relationship of people living in houses with cement - asbestos roofing sheets with the proportion of people suffering from cancer, however long asbestos sheets are used, the association will be less . When the asbestos sheet becomes loose, the asbestos fibers will release air. At that time, the inhaler is just as dangerous as it is in these sheet factories, ' said Dr. Hai.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Construction: 'Regarding the level of toxicity of asbestos, everyone knows, but whether or not it should be banned should be considered because of the need for more systematically follow-up research '.

Dr. Tran The Loan, Deputy Director of the Department of Pollution Control (VEA) said that 'More specialized and systematic research is needed, otherwise workers will be disadvantaged and also harmful to community living environment '.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber. Due to some features such as high tensile strength, chemical resistance, heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, sound insulation, great flexibility . so many places use in production, especially construction materials. build. However, asbestos creates malignant reactions, factors affecting human health. Many studies show a correlation between asbestos infection and malignant neoplasms, other less common cancers such as stomach cancer, esophagus, appendix, rectum.