TOKYO -- Three major Japanese engineering companies said Wednesday that that 41 employees who had handled asbestos in recent decades had died, while 14 others were still receiving medical treatment.
The announcements by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co. were the latest revelation in an expanding number of deaths and illnesses linked to asbestos pollution. In recent weeks, about 20 Japanese companies have reported more than 350 deaths possibly linked to the carcinogenic material, sending government agencies scrambling to assess the depth of the problem.
Industrial equipment maker Kubota Corp. last month was the first to reveal that 79 workers at its asbestos-producing plants had died over several decades.
Questions from local reporters about allegations that residents living near the factories had fallen ill with asbestos poisoning prompted Kubota to launch its own investigation into illnesses and deaths linked to the material. The results of the inquiry led to the public announcement and compensation for workers and three residents, the company said.
The Japan Asbestos Association then asked all 24 member companies to investigate past health problems. The industry group said it would publicly disclose any findings. The Trade Ministry is also questioning 65 building material manufacturers for reports on contamination.
Mitsubishi Heavy said Wednesday that 17 former employees had died of mesothelioma _ a cancer of the lining of the chest cavity, lungs or stomach only known to be caused by asbestos _ and other lung diseases since October 1980.
Six more employees were receiving medical treatment for asbestos-linked lung problems, said Hideo Ikuno, spokesman for Japan's largest comprehensive heavy machinery maker.
Most of the affected employees had handled asbestos at Mitsubishi Heavy's shipyards, including those in Nagasaki and Shimonoseki in southern Japan and Kobe in western Japan, as well as in factories producing thermal insulation for piping and power plants and buildings, Ikuno said. He said the company had already paid out compensation to those who fell sick or to the families of those who died.
Mitsubishi Heavy said it restricted the use of asbestos in 1975.
Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding said seven former workers _ in their mid-50s to 80s _ had died of mesothelioma and seven died of lung cancer between 1997 and 2004. They had been employed at the company's plants in Chiba, east of Tokyo; Osaka; and Tamano city, about 342 miles west of Tokyo.
Five others were being treated by doctors, Mitsui Engineering said in a statement. The company said its plants had stopped using asbestos-based products in 1987.
Meanwhile, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy said 19 employees had died of mesothelioma and one of lung cancer, while two others were being treated for asbestos-related ailments, according to the national Asahi newspaper. Officials were unable to contact one other worker who had been receiving treatment, the paper said.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that when broken down into dust is easily inhaled. It was widely used in Japan as insulation and in roof tiles up until the 1980s.
While highly carcinogenic types of the material _ so-called blue and brown asbestos _ were banned in Japan in 1995, other forms of asbestos were not outlawed until last October.
Clinical Trial Links
Websites for Clinical Trial Information
www.mesolink.org/resources/ mesothelioma-clinical-trials.html --This is an excellent link for the latest clinical trials and other information on Mesothelioma.
http://www.mesothelioma-asbestos-lung-cancer.com/treatmentoptions/clinic_trials.shtml--This site gives you great information on trials and offers a free pamphlet on Mesothelioma.
Email Links for Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
California study cordinator--volkertsd@toweroncology.org
New York clinical trials--mp317@columbia.edu
Texas clinical triasl--drjjjc@aol.com
Virginia clinical trials--smgorsch@mjh.org
Massuchusetts clinical trials-- judith.odonnell@banyan.ummed.edu
