Long-term epidemiological observation of asbestos-related diseases in Poland, 1970–2015

<span class="paragraphSection"><div class="boxTitle">Abstract</div><div class="boxTitle">Background</div>Occupational exposure to asbestos constitutes a major public health concern. Despite this in many countries, data and registration systems for occupational asbestos-related diseases are non-existent or poorly developed.<div class="boxTitle">Aims</div>To analyse the incidence of occupational asbestos-related diseases in Poland between the years 1970 and 2015, with particular emphasis on the periods after introduction of a ban on asbestos and following introduction of a surveillance programme.<div class="boxTitle">Methods</div>Analysis based on all medically recognized cases, certified as occupational diseases and reported obligatorily from all over the country to the Central Register of Occupational Diseases.<div class="boxTitle">Results</div>During the period 1970–2015, 4983 cases were reported as asbestos-related diseases. The most prevalent were asbestosis, lung cancer, diseases of pleura or pericardium and mesothelioma. A considerable increase in the number of such cases from the beginning of their registration until 2004 occurred after introduction of the Amiantus programme, a nationwide programme of periodic medical examinations for former asbestos workers.<div class="boxTitle">Conclusions</div>Introduction of a medical surveillance programme improved case recognition and allowed a more reliable estimate of the number of reported asbestos-related diseases.</span>

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