Prospective study of asbestos-related diseases incidence cases in primary health care in an area of Barcelona province

The aim of the study is to achieve a comprehensive and coordinated detection of all new cases of Asbestos Related Diseases presenting to primary care practitioners.This is a multicentre, multidisciplinary and pluri-institutional prospective study.Setting12 municipalities in the Barcelona province within the catchment area of the health facilities that participate in the study.SampleThis is a population based study, of all patients presenting with diseases caused by asbestos in the study area.MeasurementsA clinical and epidemiological questionnaire will be filled in by the trained researchers after interviewing the patients and examining their clinical reports.Data on the incidence of the different Asbestos Related Diseases in this area will be obtained and the most plausible exposure source and space-time-patient profile will be described. The study will also improve the standardization of patient management, the coordination between health care institutions and the development of preventive activities related with asbestos exposure and disease.Humans have used asbestos for centuries. We find the first reference at around 2,500 BC in cremation ceremonies where it is described as a material that burns like wood but does not get burned down when used with oil. The two essential characteristics of asbestos are reflected in this historical note: incombustibility and thermal isolation properties that stand temperatures up to 900°C.Thanks to these properties, we find asbestos in over 3,000 different applications in most industrial sectors [1,2]. In Barcelona province, the jobs associated with the highest risk are workers at fibrocement plants, painters, carriers of asbestos materials and construction workers [3].Asbestos is classified into serpentine (curly fibres) and amphibole (straight fibres). Chrysotile or white asbestos belongs to the serpentine group and is the most widespread, amounting to 90% of all industrial asbestos. The chemical structure consists of a silica