In Italy, in the last ten years, around 60 thousand people have died from diseases linked toasbestos. In the year 2023 the National Asbestos Observatory recorded approximately 2,000 cases of mesotheliomawith a mortality rate, compared to the previous 5 years, of approximately 93% of cases.
In the same year there were approximately 4,000 new diagnoses of lung cancer due to exposure to asbestos (net of smoking and other carcinogenic agents), with an estimated 5-year survival rate of 12% for a calculation of approximately 3,500 deaths. The data were released on the occasion of World Asbestos Victims’ Day which is celebrated on 28 April.
Lombardy in first place
«On this day, when the victims of asbestos are remembered, we appeal to Prime Minister Meloni to return it to the government agenda – states Ezio Bonanni, president of the Observatory -. We remind you that only reclamation and safety can avoid exposure to asbestos and therefore future diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases which, unfortunately, in more than 90% of cases turn into a death sentence.”
The Observatory also explains that «every year there are 10 thousand new diagnoses, mainly men, for reasons of their professional commitment and workers in factories or military sites and in particular in the regions at greatest risk which, with an annual average of diagnosed cases between 1,500 and 1,800, Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria and Lazio represent over 56% of the reported cases”.
In the ranking of the most affected regions, Lombardy is in first place with around 500 mesotheliomas in 2023 and around 470 deaths, and more than 1000 diagnoses of asbestos-related lung cancer, with around 880 deaths. This impact is linked to the fact that it is the most industrialized region, with the most massive use of asbestos until the ban of Law 257/92. On the other hand, it is also the most equipped region in terms of landfills, and therefore reclamation.
According to WHO statistics, around 125 million workers around the world are still exposed to the carcinogenic substance, and more than 107 thousand die every year due to asbestos. As regards Italy in 2024, there are «40 million tons of asbestos within 1 million sites and microsites, of which 50 thousand industrial, and 42 of national interest. The situation is even more dramatic – adds the Observatory – as the dangerous carcinogen is also present in the buildings of 2,500 schools (estimate 2023), within which more than 352,000 pupils and 50,000 teaching and non-teaching staff are exposed . Furthermore, 1,500 libraries and cultural buildings including at least 500 hospitals (default estimate because the Ona mapping is still in progress), have asbestos components in the structures and technical systems, in particular thermal, electrical and thermo-hydraulic”.
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