Characteristics of asbestos exposure in employees of a company in Azuay - Ecuador

Abstract

Background: Asbestos or amianto which can cause cancer and lung diseases such as asbestosis, according to the WHO, are still used to make fiber cement. This puts workers at risk of respiratory problems in the short, medium, and long term. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of asbestos exposure in workers of a company in the city of Cuenca - Azuay, Ecuador during the period 2022-2023. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, crosssectional study, including a total of 25 workers. Four processes were carried out: collection of demographic data, review of the morbidity and absenteeism matrix, collection of environmental samples for asbestos analysis, and verification of compliance with biosafety measures by means of a check-list. Subsequently, data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using statistical methods such as mean, median, and mode. Results: It was found that 84% of the studied population had not completed secondary school, and 60% were between 18 and 31 years of age. The rate of absenteeism was 1.35% due to respiratory tract diseases. All workers are exposed to asbestos (0.35 f/cc; 0.45 f/cc). Finally, 60% of the population does not adequately comply with biosafety measures. Conclusions: This study identified a population at high risk of asbestos exposure, who, in addition, lack adequate personal protective measures. Although this exposure could have contributed to the rate of absenteeism due to respiratory tract diseases, it is not possible to establish a direct proportional relationship.