Continuous exposure to asbestos fibers can mainly affect the respiratory system, causing various types of diseases, such as some types of pulmonary fibrosis and in the most serious cases different types of cancer, the most characteristic being pleural cancer (mesothelioma).
The Vallès Occidental has been an area greatly affected by the exposure of its population to this mineral, whether for occupational reasons - people who worked in the Uralita factory or places where there was or is asbestos, such as activities related to demolition, maintenance, removal of this material or that contains it... -; environmental - due to the fibers that the mineral gave off during its use -; or due to living with people exposed to asbestos and who wore the fibers on their clothes or body.
The Pneumology service at Parc Taulí monitors around 300 people affected by occupational exposure to asbestos fibers, "but this is just the tip of the iceberg, we believe that there are many more, between 500 and 600, even more, that may be coded based on other pathologies that they also present and that we still do not have under control”, assures the director of the Pneumology service and head of the Unit, Dr. Manel Luján.
That is why Parc Taulí has decided to create the first Multidisciplinary Asbestos Unit to serve all people affected by exposure to this mineral. “El Vallès, our reference area, is a place that is very affected, not only by workers, but also by residents and the population in general due to environmental exposure, because factories that worked with asbestos dispersed this product into the atmosphere and anyone could inhale it. The people affected by environmental exposure are the ones that worry us the most because they are increasing because Asbestos-containing materials degrade at the end of their useful life, releasing the mineral fibers contained within.”, explains Dr. Luján.
The Multidisciplinary Asbestos Unit wants to bring together all affected people to have a more comprehensive control over the disease. Dr. Luján reiterates that “We want it to be a reference unit to better monitor patients, but also to be able to better study the consequences of exposure to asbestos fibers and educate the population on how to act if a person is exposed to this mineral. And also as a historical reminder. We must not forget all those people who have died from pathologies related to the inhalation of asbestos fibers or who are still suffering from the consequences. It is part of the historical memory of the Vallès and must be remembered".
This Unit will have a structure that will respond precisely to the different levels of severity that a person exposed to asbestos may present. At the moment there are two consultations for cases of exposure or less serious illnesses at the specialized care centers (CAE's) of Cerdanyola-Ripollet and Sant Fèlix in Sabadell, while the most serious cases will be attended to at the Hospital's consultations, such as the fast cancer circuit. In this way, “We want to create a circuit with the primary care so that patients who are detected can be referred to the unit and from the Pneumology Service we can respond to the different manifestations of the pathology related to asbestos exposure.”, says Dr. Manel Luján.
In addition, the creation of a pleural pathology consultation within the preferential care circuit is planned, once the Unit has been consolidated at a territorial level.
The Multidisciplinary Asbestos Unit will help to make an earlier diagnosis of affected people; guaranteeing multidisciplinary care with a single healthcare circuit; it will consolidate coordination with primary care and a population registry will be created. All of this, to boost research in this area.
Commitment of local governments
This Multidisciplinary Asbestos Unit was presented to the Council of Mayors of the Parc Taulí Healthcare Corporation Consortium, which includes the different town halls in the reference area of the Parc Taulí Hospital -Badia del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès, Castellar del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Polinyà, Ripollet, Sabadell, Sant Llorenç Savall and Sentmenat-.
All those attending the meeting showed their interest in this pioneering Unit in Catalonia and the State, led by the director of the Pneumology service, Dr. Manel Luján, and which has the support of the specialist in pulmonology and expert in diseases caused by asbestos, Dr. Josep Tarrés.
