Using GIS to Estimate Population at Risk Because of Residence Proximity to Asbestos Processing Facilities in Colombia

Abstract

The recent enactment of the law banning asbestos in Colombia raises a significant number of challenges. The largest factories that have historically processed asbestos include five asbestos-cement facilities located in the cities of Sibaté (Cundinamarca), Cali (Valle del Cauca), and Barranquilla (Atlántico), and Manizales (Caldas), which has two, as well as a friction products facility in Bogotá D.C. An asbestos chrysotile mine has also operated in Colombia since 1980 in Campamento (Antioquia). In the framework of developing the National Asbestos Profile for Colombia, in this study, we estimated the population residing in the vicinity of asbestos processing plants or the mine and, therefore, potentially at risk of disease. Using a geographic information system, demographic data obtained from the last two general population censuses were processed to determine the number of people living within the concentric circles surrounding the asbestos facilities and the mine. In previous studies conducted in different countries of the world, an increased risk of asbestos-related diseases has been reported for people living at different distance bands from asbestos processing facilities. Based on these studies, circles of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 m radii, centered on the asbestos processing facilities and the mine that operated in Colombia, were combined with the census data to estimate the number of people living within these radii. Large numbers of people were identified. It is estimated that in 2005, at the country level, 10,489 people lived within 500 m of an asbestos processing facility or mine. In 2018, and within a distance of 10,000 m, the number of people was 6,724,677. This information can aid public health surveillance strategies.

A critical review of asbestos concentrations in water and air, according to exposure sources

“…In Colombia, ArcGis and demographic information were used to determine the number of people living within the concentric circles of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 m radius that surround the asbestos processing plants and the mine located in Campamento (Antioquia), [ 78 ]. It was estimated that, in 2005, throughout the country, 10,489 people lived within 500 m of an asbestos processing plant or mine.…”

“… 2020 [ 82 ] Colombia Environmental – – – It is a risk estimation for population living in proximity of mines. 2021 [ 78 ] South Korea Environmental TEM PCM 42 0.00045-0,00057 f/cc 0,00122–0.00032 f/cc Studies in sites of interest in urban and rural areas 2021 [ 15 ] South Korea Ambiental Review – – The estimated exposure measurements via the ABS method of NOA exceeded the current environmental exposure limits in South Korea, and health damage to residents living near the abandoned asbestos mines was not negligible 2021 [ 73 ] South Korea PCM 30 0.2221–0.3386 f/cc (material No Treated) 0.0064–0.0121 f/cc (Material Treated) This study evaluated the relative merits of asbestos stabilizers purchased in Korea and other countries to identify the characteristics of asbestos fibers that were dispersed from treated and untreated CACS exposed to different wind speeds. At wind speeds of 5 and 10 m/s, the concentrations of fibers dispersed from treated asbestos cement sheets (CACS) were significantly lower than those of the fibers dispersed from untreated CACS.…”

Environmental management criteria, aimed at public policymaking, for the removal and disposal of asbestos‐containing building materials in Colombia

“…Subsequently, two other factories of the same subsidiary were established in the cities of Cali (Valle del Cauca) and Barranquilla (Atlántico) in 1944. Later, two other asbestos–cement product factories began operation in the city of Manizales in 1967 and 1983 (Lysaniuk et al, 2021; Talbı et al, 2017; Villamizar & Camero, 2019). According to data reported by the Asociación Colombiana de Fibras (ASCOLFIBRAS; Congreso de la República, Colombia, 2016), it was estimated that, by 2016, more than 350 million m 2 roof tiles had been distributed, with which more than 5 million homes have been roofed; also, more than 40 000 linear km of pipes for urban water supply and sewage systems have been installed.…”

An Approach to Overcome the Limitations of Surveillance of Asbestos Related Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What We Learned from the Sibaté Study in Colombia

“…The asbestos industry started operations in Colombia in 1942 when an asbestos-cement facility was established in Sibaté, a city located 25 Km from the capital, Bogotá [ 4 ]. Subsequently, additional asbestos cement facilities emerged in Cali and Barranquilla (1944), along with two in Manizales in 1967 and 1982 [ 4 ].…”

“…The asbestos industry started operations in Colombia in 1942 when an asbestos-cement facility was established in Sibaté, a city located 25 Km from the capital, Bogotá [ 4 ]. Subsequently, additional asbestos cement facilities emerged in Cali and Barranquilla (1944), along with two in Manizales in 1967 and 1982 [ 4 ]. Additionally, an asbestos friction products plant commenced operations in Bogotá in 1960, while a chrysotile asbestos mine began operations in 1980 in the municipality of Campamento (Antioquia) [ 4 ].…”