Anatomy of the feared epidemic worldwide of mesothelioma
Let’s briefly look at what mesothelioma is all about. It is an almost always fatal, malignant disease that ravages the protective lining over the body’s internal organs, usually the lungs. A minority of cases affects tissues protecting the heart as well as the stomach and intestines. Mesothelioma is caused by inhalation of asbestos dust, usually at the workplace. Family members of the affected workers are also at risk since asbestos dust is carried on clothing too.
Even though the use of asbestos is banned or severely restricted in the Western world, it has not assuaged fears of a mesothelioma epidemic. This is because the disease has a long latency time of 15-50 years. Currently, about 100,000 people are suspected to be dying of mesothelioma globally, and the figure is feared to run into millions in the next 10 years. In sharp contrast to worldwide fears, Sweden is witnessing a decline in mesothelioma cases. Why?
Mesothelioma in Sweden: the worst seems over
Mesothelioma of course did not spare Sweden. During the 1961-2000 periods, the North European country registered 2,190 cases of this disease, of which 2,030 could be linked to asbestos exposure. Though this works out to only 52 cases per year (on a simple average basis), the reality has not been consistent on an annual basis. Incidence of mesothelioma peaked in 1993.
Since the 1993 peak, there has been a gradual decline in mesothelioma cases in Sweden. In 2003, 20 mesothelioma cases per million populations per year were registered in Sweden compared to 39 in Britain. Thus, there is reasonable indication that the worst of mesothelioma is over for Sweden.
Why Sweden ?
Sweden reacted to asbestos-related occupational hazards faster than any other country. It did not waste time in the debate over which type of asbestos is more harmful and which type is less harmful – a debate that is still being fuelled by asbestos-exporting countries like Canada and Zimbabwe. Sweden also did not waste much time in the ‘controlled use’ argument that says a particular type of asbestos, called Chrysotile or ‘white asbestos’, is not harmful if used under controls.
Sweden led the world in protecting its citizens from asbestos-linked diseases. The country’s first asbestos regulations were introduced in 1964. By 1976, stringent restrictions on imports and use of asbestos were in place. Finally, the government outlawed various uses of asbestos through a series of bans that started in 1986 and led to a complete ban in 1988. Sweden was the first country in the European Union to ban all types of asbestos.
Lesson from Sweden
The declining incidence of mesothelioma in Sweden sends out a crucial lesson to the world, based on the following reasoning:
- As much 90% of asbestos ever used in Sweden was Chrysotile.
- Sweden’s history of asbestos safeguards dates way back to 1964.
- Yet, mesothelioma did strike the nation. Perhaps, it still accounts for the highest number of deaths connected to occupational hazards in Sweden.
The lesson therefore is: chrysotile is harmful and protective measures are ineffective.
Conclusion of mesothelioma control
The worst of mesothelioma appears to be thankfully over for Sweden before it could assume epidemic proportions. Given that 90% of the asbestos ever used in Sweden was chrysotile, and that the country’s history of restrictions and safeguards date back to 1964, Sweden has effectively nailed the lie that chrysotile is ‘acceptable’ if used with proper controls.
Summary of mesothelioma in sweden
Mesothelioma, caused almost always by past exposure to asbestos dust, poses the biggest challenge to public health authorities and the medical fraternity today. An estimated 100,000 people are currently dying of this disease worldwide, and the worst is expected to come during 2015-2020.
|
Sweden is thus far the only country that seems to have achieved a semblance of success in coping with the epidemic prospects of mesothelioma. In hindsight, this should not come as a surprise because Sweden was fast to react to asbestos-related health threats by imposing restrictions on use of the material as early as in 1964 and leading to a ban on all types of asbestos in 1988.
Nevertheless, Sweden did not escape the scourge of mesothelioma. It is just that the worst is over. Since 90% of asbestos ever used in Sweden was chrysotile, and mesothelioma did strike the nation, the Swedish experience proves that chrysotile is indeed carcinogenic and that preventive measures are not really effective. In this lies a lesson for countries that still buy the theory that ‘controlled use’ of chrysotile is not harmful. |
