Asbestos-Related Diseases in Thailand and Review Literature
Ponglada Subhannachart MD*, Narongpon Dumavibhat MD**,***, Somkiat Siriruttanapruk MD, PhD****
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Central Chest Institute of Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand ** Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan **** Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Asbestos is a harmful substance that can cause both malignancy and non-malignancy in humans. Although it has been used in Thailand for several years, few cases of asbestos-related diseases were reported. Concerning about high consumption and long exposure of asbestos in the country, the incurable but preventable diseases caused by asbestos will be the health problem in the near future. The authors presented 2 cases with asbestos-related diseases, one diagnosed as malignant mesothelioma and the other as asbestosis.
Keywords : Asbestos in Thailand, Asbestosis, Asbestos-related diseases, Mesothelioma
