Objectives: Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) occur years or decades after the first exposure to asbestos. Secondary to its widespread use, the prevalence of ARDs continues to increase, making its recognition and compensation a major occupational health issue. Many countries have expanded occupational health examination programs to include workers currently and/or previously exposed to asbestos. In addition, some countries have established surveillance systems for malignant mesothelioma (MM), a sentinel tumor for asbestos exposure. Methods: We reviewed existing literature and official websites of selected countries to understand the design of asbestos-related occupational health examination programs and MM surveillance systems. Results: In Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, workers with ongoing or past occupational exposure to asbestos are eligible to participate in occupational health examination programs. These programs are financed either through workers' compensation insurance or public funds. Medical care and compensation are provided for individuals with ARDs. Surveillance programs for MM were established in Australia, France and South Korea, and MM cases identified through the programs were investigated on asbestos exposure history. Surveillance programs provide empirical evidence for prevention and compensation policies of ARDs including MM. Conclusions: The government of Taiwan should expand the scope of its occupational health examination program to include individuals with a history of occupational exposure to asbestos, and establish a surveillance mechanism for MM. This will allow Taiwan to understand the scope and impacts of ARDs.
Date:
2017-04
Relation:
Taiwan Journal of Public Health. 2017 Apr;36(2):187-196.
