A Study on Asbestos Exposure, Health Effects and Causes of Deaths among Construction Workers

Focusing on the members of the Construction Workers' Health Insurance Society, we have conducted various research projects on asbestos exposure in the construction industry. In the present report, we briefly outline our activities and research findings obtained so far. We investigated the handling of asbestos-containing building materials and found that a worker would possibly be exposed to an asbestos concentration of 100 fibers/cm3 or more in her/his breathing area when cutting an asbestos-containing material with a radial arm saw. We conducted a questionnaire survey among members of the All Kyoto Construction Workers Union, which revealed that those who had inhaled asbestos dust very often and sometimes accounted for 13.7% and 26.4%, respectively. The trade most frequently exposed to such situations was that of carpenter. The material most frequently used was asbestos slate. Since 1988, we have interviewed members who showed asbestos-related symptoms on their chest X-rays, taken in regular checkups, and have advised them to have full examinations and medical treatment or have given them health guidance. Using the data on 17,667 deaths of members who were in the Society for 1 year or longer between 1973 and 1993, we investigated the characteristics of the causes of their death in comparison with the general population of prefectures they resided in. Tracheal/ bronchial/lung cancer, accidents and harmful effects showed high overall standardized mortality ratios.