Training laboratories dealing with asbestos and making accreditation system 44/59
Development of substitute for asbestos to prohibit the use of all asbestos
Deadline date: December 2009
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Workers exposed to asbestos and general population in the face of environmental exposure of asbestos.
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
This project is conducted to minimize and prevent asbestos-related disease in Korea. We estimated the increase of these kinds of diseases, like asbestosis and mesothelioma. Our estimation became true as many cases of mesothelioma are being reported in Korea.
First of all, we considered establishing infrastructure for asbestos as the most important action to solve this problem. Now we collaborate with the Korean government (Ministry of Labor) on this project.
Dissemination
Results will be submitted to relevant journals for publication
Presentation at relevant conferences and meetings
Reports
Impact (global or regional)
Global
Progress on Project (max 100 words)
Report submitted to the Ministry of Labour recommending expertise, guidance, training and ban on use/import of asbestos products (to be actioned in Korea by 2009)
Ministry to create provision / training / etc in 2006 for asbestos demolition / clearance workers
Microscopy course designed for analysts and quality control scheme established. Grant proposals submitted to support (due March, 2007).
Steps taken to collaborate with other WHO partners.
No report on further progress received by June 2010.
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
Submission of report to Ministry of Labour recommending expertise, guidance, training and ban on use / import of asbestos products. Use and import of all forms of asbestos is now banned in Korea, effective from Jan 2009.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Design microscopy course for analysts and establish quality control schemes. Courses have been designed and are being offered by KOSHA and NIER. Quality control schemes are being offered through KOSHA and will be offered by NIER also in the near future.
Establish educational institute for asbestos. Educational programs for workers, supervisors and contractors are being offered by two private institutes and KOSHA.
Establish training laboratories dealing with asbestos and developing accreditation system. There are now over 50 labs participating in QC schemes of KOSHA which will be accredited if they pass the QC rounds.
Develop substitute for asbestos
Collaborate with other WHO partners
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
GPA1.10o
Formerly AA 4: CE3e
GPA Objective
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
CC or NGO Name
National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, South Africa
Relevant partners as required
Funding
NIOH
Objective of the project
To increase knowledge and capacity to identify asbestos in the SADC region
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
• Develop training materials and training course content (during 2006)
• Present the training courses (2007)
• Establish a regional reference and training centre in conjunction with the
Occupational Hygiene Section of the NIOH (2008)
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Occupational and Environmental Hygienists
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
Because of the potential of asbestos to cause adverse health effects, there is a need to identify asbestos in the workplace and the environment. The techniques used at the NIOH are of international standard. The capacity to perform asbestos analysis is not available in all parts of the region. Simpler, less costly methods can be useful in determining the presence of asbestos and determining its type. The workshop aims to increase the capacity to identify asbestos in the region.
Dissemination
- SADC Region
- Associations of occupational and environmental hygienists
Impact (global or regional)
Progress on Project (max 100 words)
Agreement has been reached by the cooperating centres – NIOH and HSL to conduct a workshop in September/October 2008. The workshop will be held at the NIOH Johannesburg and a representative from the HSL, Barry Tylee will be coming to Johannesburg to assist with the workshop. A smaller, local workshop is being piloted on the 8th November 2007. It is hoped that feedback from this workshop will assist in the content of the WHO collaborative w/s.
No report on further progress received by June 2010.
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Tentative summary by CC Initiative Leader, but pending confirmation from Project Leader
Establish a regional reference and training centre in conjunction with the Occupational Hygiene Section of the NIOH
Disseminate information to SADC region and associations of occupational and environmental hygienists
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
GPA1.10q
Formerly AA4:CE4d
GPA Objective
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
CC or NGO Name
Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile
Project title
Support in the methodology to train workers involved in asbestos removal activities
Institutions responsible for health of workers in countries in the region
Funding
Delivering of the original manual (hard copy), manual in CD, telephone conferences, and any support via fax and e-mail will be paid by the Instituto de Salud Publica.
Objective of the project
To impart sufficient knowledge to asbestos removal workers to do theses activities in a safe manner
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
To establish coordination with institutions indicated in “Other Partners”
To make effective the offering (2006-2010)
To give advice through the indicated ways (2006-2010)
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Workers of the region working in asbestos removal activities.
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
Firstly, Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile establishes communications with interested countries. After that, they are given the manual for workers involved in removal activities and the CD. Bilateral coordinations settle down to specify forms and timetable. Chilean professionals could give in-field assistance but interested countries should fund this.
Dissemination
Institutional communications
Impact (global or regional)
Regional
Progress on Project (max 100 words)
No update
No progress report received by June 2010.
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Tentative summary by CC Initiative Leader but pending confirmation from Project Leader
Disseminate training manual in hard copy and CD and conduct telephone conferences to support and train workers involved in asbestos removal activities
Coordinate efforts between other national and regional institutions responsible for workers’ health
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
GPA1.10h
Formerly AA2:RS6
GPA Objective
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
CC or NGO Name
Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), UK
Project title
Consistency in laboratory analysis of samples to determine airborne concentrations of asbestos and other fibres
HSL/HSE (UK); Catholic Institute of Industrial Medicine (Korea); National Institute for Occupational Health (South Africa)
Other partners
Funding
Participant laboratories in the proficiency testing schemes, and UK Health and Safety Laboratory/Executive.
Objective of the project
The project will seek to improve and maintain the consistency between laboratories nationally and globally in the analysis of samples to determine airborne concentrations of asbestos and other fibres. One of the factors that may affect consistency is a change in the method for the analysis: the WHO-published all-fibre counting method becomes the standard method in Europe in 2006. The change in technique may be reflected in data reported by laboratories. The data will be examined to assess the effect of the change.
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
The outcome should be the improvement and maintenance of consistency between laboratories in the counting of asbestos and other fibres (ongoing). A specific outcome will be an assessment of the effect of the change to a new method of fibre counting as the standard method in Europe. A paper on the progress and findings will be produced (2008).
Target group and/or beneficiaries
The health and safety professionals involved in measurement of asbestos fibres, the people who rely on those measurements being consistent.
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
Concentrations of airborne asbestos are determined by counting of fibres under phase 45/59 contrast optical microscopy. Proficiency testing (PT) checks that laboratories are producing consistent results. This is needed as large differences between analysts and laboratories can occur. During 2006, adoption of the WHO all-fibre counting method will affect the count that should be obtained on some samples. In the UK, laboratories are being helped prepare by a special training exercise. The international PT schemes will
have to allow for laboratories switching to new counting rules. PT results will be analysed to determine progress.
Dissemination
By communications to laboratories worldwide, by reports, and by published paper(s).
Impact (global or regional)
Global
Progress on Project (max 100 words)
HSL. IOM remains closely involved. The training (for PT labs) helped a smooth transition to the new WHO-published counting method. We will collaborate with HSL on a paper reporting the change and its effects.
The international PT schemes have continued, with some new members, including HSL, and the format of reports to participants has been improved. International contacts have continued, with successful visits to IOM in 2006 from WHO-CCs in Korea (Catholic University) and South Africa (NIOH). A larger Korean delegation will visit IOM in July 2007.
No report on further progress received by June 2010.
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Tentative summary by CC Initiative Leader but pending confirmation from Project Leader
Standardization of fiber counting methods in Europe
Wider application of proficiency testing (PT) across individual analysts and labs
Adoption of the WHO all-fibre counting method
Improve and maintain consistency in the analysis of airborne concentration of fibers; assess the effect of change to a new method of fibre counting.
Coordination with WHO-CCs in Korea (Catholic University) and South Africa (NIOH)
Disseminate information on progress and findings to laboratories worldwide by reports and published paper(s)
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
GPA1.10w
CONTRIBUTING
PROJECT Title
Work plan project
number (to be
added by WHO)
AFRICA Fibre Counting Scheme
GPA Objective and
Action
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
Action 1.10
Priority Initiative
Priority 1.3: Develop and disseminate evidence-based prevention tools and raise awareness for the elimination of asbestos-related diseases
Responsible CC or
NGO Name
Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), UK
Project leader
(contact name and
email address)
Dr Alan Jones
alan.jones@iom-world.org
Network partners
(CC name, country,
email)
[to be confirmed]
WHO Regions
involved in this
CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name and email)
Country ministries
involved in this
CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name and email)
Several of the participating laboratories are government labs and so are linked to
relevant ministries or regional government , e.g. in Belgium, Spain, Korea, Hong
Kong, Italy.
External partners
for this
CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name, organization
and email)
[to be confirmed]
Summary of the
project (max 100
words)
“AFRICA” is an international proficiency testing scheme for laboratories that measure
airborne asbestos fibre concentrations using the phase contrast optical microscopy
counting method. The scheme enables participating laboratories to compare their
counting levels with those of other laboratories and with reference counts, in order to
assist them in quality control of their counting performances.
Testing proficiency in fibre counting process is crucial to the reliability of
measurements of asbestos concentrations in air. Without it, huge differences can
arise between laboratories.
Reliability of measurements of concentrations of asbestos is an important element in
combating the international epidemic in asbestos related diseases.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Immediate: Laboratories internationally who engage in fibre counting (Asbestos or
MMMF), and their clients
Indirect: People exposed to asbestos, whose protection depends on valid assessment
Information about the scheme will be made available through various channels including the IOM website and conferences.
Expected results of this project by 2012
(outcomes)
The operation of the schemes is being re-launched after a period when operation had lapsed due to resourcing issues. There has been a high level of response among past and potential new participants of the AFRICA (asbestos scheme) and the scheme is relaunching this summer.
The outcomes by 2012 are expected to be regular operation of the schemes core function during 2009, reviews of general patterns of international comparability within the scheme during 2010, 2011 and 2012 with assessment of progress.
There has been a sequence of contacts with other National PT schemes, including visits from those organisations to IOM. We anticipate those will continue.
Our expectation is that membership of the scheme is likely to grow from its current level by 2012 due to the ongoing concern about control of exposure to asbestos internationally and especially in the developing economies.
Indicators of
achievement
(impact)
Immediate: The number and distribution of participating laboratories (i) overall; (ii) that demonstrate proficiency in counting
Major Milestones
(list up to three
dates and
milestones)
December 2009: completion of first round of re-launched scheme.
Summer 2010: review of progress in comparability.
Summer 2011: publication of peer review paper on outcomes at that stage.
Public health
impact
Reliable measurement of asbestos exposures is necessary for proper risk management
and so for control of risks, notably of cancer (lung, mesothelioma)
Funding source(s)
The participating laboratories
Dissemination
(i) The proficiency status of participating labs is made public on the IOM website;
We already established a malignant mesothelioma (MM) surveillance system. About 50 cases are reported by pathologists in Korea(less than 1/million). However, MM is expected to increase considering the former use of asbestos in Korea. We will try to estimate the peak time for prevention and making proper policy. And we will make special acts for compensation in the patients who can’t verify their work-relatedness. In Indonesia, asbestos textile factories are operating now. These factories were moving from Korea and Japan. We have a plan to support the screening system of asbestos-related disease in Indonesian workers. And we also try to support the innovation of 38/59 the workplace environment.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
General population, former high exposed group, the patient having asbestos related disease
Events opportunities
For furthering the
project
Information about the scheme will be made available through various channels including the IOM website and conferences.
Expected results of
this project by 2012
(outcomes)
Making Special acts for compensation in the patient who can’t verify their work-relatedness
Estimation of the peak time in malignant mesothelioma
Indicators of
achievement
(impact)
Publication of the report and article
Major Milestones
(list up to three
dates and
milestones)
DEC 2009: supporting the screening system of asbestos related disease in Indonesian workers
DEC 2010: Making special acts for compensation for environmental asbestos related disease
DEC 2012: Estimation of the peak time of MM in Korea
Public health
impact
Informing the public of the risk of asbestos
Funding source(s)
KOSHA
Dissemination
Results will be submitted to relevant journals for publication
Presentation at relevant conferences and meetings
Reports
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
No progress report received by June 2010.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Support screening system of ARDs in Indonesia [where factories moved to from Japan and Korea] (Dec 2009)
Designation of special acts for compensation for environmental ARDs (Dec 2010)
Prediction of peak time of the mesothelioma epidemic in Korea (Dec 2012)
Development of homepage or blog to assist ARD patients and to communicate with other researchers
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
Action 1.10
Priority Initiative
Priority 1.3: Develop and disseminate evidence-based prevention tools and raise awareness for the elimination of asbestos-related diseases
Responsible CC or
NGO Name
Institute of Occupational Medicine and Maritime Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
Project leader
(contact name and
email address)
Alexandra Preisser, MD
alexandra.preisser@bsg.hamburg.de
Network partners
(CC name, country,
email)
Centre for Occupational Health at the National Institute of Public Health,
Prague, Czech Republic
WHO Regions
involved in this
CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name and email)
Europe
Country ministries
involved in this
CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name and email)
Ministry of Health, Germany
External partners
for this CONTRIBUTING
project (contact
name, organization
and email)
Not at all
Summary of the
project (max 100
words)
Lung fibrosis and pleural plaques are frequent findings in asbestos workers.
Asbestosis results in a restrictive ventilation pattern with decreases of diffusion capacity and lung compliance. The effect of pleural plaques on the gas diffusion, measured as CO diffusion capacity (DL,CO) is controversially discussed. Our aim is to objectify functional impairment of pleural plaques and initial parenchymal fibrosis by means of DL,CO, the new analyzing method DL,NO, and the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference in the exercise test (spiroergometry). The data will be compared with results from spirometry, compliance, chest X-ray (CT, when available) and the estimated cumulative
asbestos dose.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Workers previously occupationally exposed to asbestos in shipyards and other industries
Events opportunities
For furthering the
project
Development of a sensitive diagnostic tool for asbestos-induced plaques and
asbestosis at early stages
Expected results of
this project by 2012
(outcomes)
Description of the best method for measurement of impaired gas diffusion in
the lung already detecting initial changes in lung function
Indicators of
achievement
(impact)
Evidence-based recommendations for detecting early stages of asbestos-related benign lung disorders
Major Milestones
(list up to three
dates and
milestones)
Examination of 100 former asbestos-exposed workers with lung function analysis and chest x-ray (2009)
Statistical analysis of the data (2010)
Analysis and publication of the data and recommendations (2012)
Public health
impact
Global
Funding source(s)
No funds
Dissemination
Results and recommendations will be published in workshops and international journals
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
No progress report received by June 2010.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Development of a sensitive diagnostic tool for asbestos-induced plaques and asbestosis at early stages as well as evidence-based recommendations for detecting early stages of benign ARDs
Objectify functional impairment of pleural plaques and initial parenchymal fibrosis by means of DL, CO, the new analyzing method DL, NO, and the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference in the exercise test (spiroergometry)
Compare data with spirometry, compliance, CXR/CT and estimated cumulative dose of asbestos
Dissemination of findings as ISO guidelines, ASTM guidelines, IOHA presentations, NIOSH website, etc.
