Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Saf Health Work. 2011 Sep;2(3):201-9. doi: 10.5491/SHAW.2011.2.3.201. Epub 2011 Sep 30.
The incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) has increased in the last four decades. In view of the historical use of asbestos in Singapore since the country started banning it in phases in 1989 and the long latency of the disease, the incidence of ARD can be expected to increase further. As occupational exposure to asbestos still occurs, preventive measures to eliminate ARD continue to be required to protect the health of both workers and the public from asbestos exposure. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos at present occur during the removal of old buildings. Preventive measures have been utilized by different government ministries and agencies in eliminating ARD in Singapore over the past 40 years. These measures have included the enforcement of legislation, substitution with safer materials, and engineering controls during asbestos removal as well as improvements in personal hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The existing Workman's Compensation System for ARD should be further refined, given that is currently stipulates that claims for asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma be made within 36 and 12 months after ceasing employment.
在过去的四十年中，与石棉相关的疾病（ARD）的发病率有所增加。鉴于新加坡自 1989 年开始分阶段禁止使用石棉以来，历史上一直使用石棉，而且这种疾病潜伏期很长，因此预计 ARD 的发病率还会进一步上升。由于职业性接触石棉的情况仍然存在，因此需要采取预防措施来消除 ARD，以保护工人和公众免受石棉暴露的危害。目前，大多数职业性接触石棉发生在拆除旧建筑物的过程中。在过去的 40 年中，不同的政府部门和机构一直在新加坡采取预防措施来消除 ARD。这些措施包括执法、用更安全的材料替代、在拆除石棉时进行工程控制以及改善个人卫生和使用个人防护设备。鉴于目前规定石棉肺和恶性间皮瘤的索赔应在停止雇佣后的 36 个月和 12 个月内提出，因此应该进一步完善现有的 ARD 工人赔偿制度。
