engleski

Asbestos and asbestosis in Croatia: Past, present and future

This study gives a historical review of the national use of asbestos, the first and later appearance of asbestos related diseases in the country, health risk derived from para-occupational exposure to asbestos, and the national and European Union (EU) regulations on the asbestos issue. Between 1945 and 1990 Croatia had a strong shipbuilding and asbestos cement industry. The first cases of asbestosis were reported in 1960, and 317 cases were recorded from 1990 to 2000. The Croatian Cancer Registry recorded a total of 248 cases of pleural mesothelioma between 1991 and 1997, two-third of which were attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos. Regulations on maximal allowable concentrations for harmful agents in the work environment and biological limit value, including all forms of asbestos were issued in 1993. By including asbestos on the Health Ministry’ s list of toxic materials, Croatian government banned the manufacture, trade and use of asbestos, effective January 1, 2006. This ended the manufacture, trading and use of asbestos and asbestos products, suspended all asbestos production in Croatia and brought Croatia into line with the member states of the EU. On February 14, 2006, the Ministry of Health released a revised version of the List, whereby the sale and commercial use of asbestos remain off limits, but the production of asbestos products is allowed. Besides, para-occupational exposure seems to be at least as dangerous as occupational because the majority of people are not aware of it. Major asbestos exposure continues today in building, renovation, demolition, maintenance, brake repair, household repairs, and do-it-yourself construction. The Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health in Zagreb identifies asbestos by presence and type in bulk materials using a certified standard method (Health and Safety Executive Book, UK, Method for the Determination of Hazardous Substances-Series 77— Asbestos in bulk materials ; HRN EN ISO 9001:2002 ; HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2004). The article includes recommendations for proper procedure in response to positive asbestos findings. The future approach to the asbestos issue in Croatia will by all means depend on revised regulations, which are expected to conform to the recommendations of the European Union.

asbestos; asbestos-related diseases; asbestos identification

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