title: Asbestos in Belgium: an underestimated health risk. The evolution of mesothelioma mortality rates (1969-2009).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although Belgium was once a major international manufacturer of asbestos products, asbestos-related diseases in the country have remained scarcely researched.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to provide a descriptive analysis of Belgian mesothelioma mortality rates in order to improve the understanding of asbestos health hazards from an international perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Temporal and geographical analyses were performed on cause-specific mortality data (1969-2009) using quantitative demographic measures. Results were compared to recent findings on global mesothelioma deaths.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Belgium has one of the highest mesothelioma mortality rates in the world, following the UK, Australia, and Italy. With a progressive increase of male mesothelioma deaths in the mid-1980s, large differences in mortality rates between sexes are apparent. Mesothelioma deaths are primarily concentrated in geographic areas with proximity to former asbestos industries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asbestos mortality in Belgium has been underestimated for decades. Our findings suggest that the location of asbestos industries is correlated with rates of mesothelioma, underlining the need to avert future asbestos exposure by thorough screening of potential contaminated sites and by pursuing a global ban on asbestos.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van den Borre
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deboosere
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution
keywords: Asbestos,; Belgium,; Environmental exposure,; Malignant mesothelioma,; Mortality,; Occupational exposure