Tussen 1987 en 1992 werd in Finland het ‘Asbest Programma’ ingevoerd. Dit bestond uit 27 maatregelen die erop gericht waren de risico’s van asbestblootstelling zoveel mogelijk te beperken. De positieve gezondheidseffecten zijn op dit moment nog niet zichtbaar. Mensen worden namelijk gemiddeld pas 30 tot 40 jaar na de blootstelling aan asbest ziek en de piek in het asbestgebruik vond er in de jaren 70 plaats. In Finland zijn ca. 200.000 mensen in hun werk aan asbest blootgesteld. Momenteel overlijden ca. 150 mensen per jaar aan een vorm van asbestgerelateerde kanker. Bron: Huuskonen MS & Rantanen J. (2006). Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH): prevention and detection of asbestos-related diseases, 1987-2005. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, mar 49(3):215-20.
Huuskonen MS & Rantanen J. (2006). Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH): prevention and detection of asbestos-related diseases, 1987-2005. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, mar 49(3):215-20.
BACKGROUND: Between 1987 and 1992, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) initiated and implemented the Asbestos Program that aimed at reducing asbestos-related risks. It was a cooperative effort between government authorities, labor market organizations, and health care and labor protection personnel.
METHODS: During the Program and its follow-up since 1993 several preventive actions were taken, and considerable new legislation and official instructions were issued.
RESULTS: Approximately 200,000 people in Finland have been exposed to asbestos in their work. Through the cooperative efforts of government, labor, health care and worker protection programs, the import of asbestos was ceased in 1993 with a few exceptions. Almost all imports ceased in 2005 following European Union directives. Regulation of asbestos abatement companies has been greatly increased. The occupational exposure limit has been reduced from 2.0 fibers/cm(3) to the present 0.1 fibers/cm(3). Asbestos-related diseases are closely monitored and education of health care providers regarding the occupational source of these conditions is now emphasized.
CONCLUSIONS: The success of the primary goal of the Program, a reduction in asbestos-related morbidity, will not be fully realized for many decades.