Batt O'Keeffe
Question:58 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the increasing incidence of asbestos-related illnesses; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to tackle this problem. [11244/96]
Written Answers. - Asbestos-Related Illness.
Limerick East): The incidence of asbestos related illnesses is monitored by the occupational medical service of the Health and Safety Authority. I am advised by the authority that there were fifteen admissions to hospital for asbestosis in 1995. Four new cases of the cancer known as mesothelioma which is primarily associated with exposure to asbestos were also seen. The asbestos related illnesses now being seen are due to exposure which occurred between twenty to forty years ago; some of the patients previously worked in the construction and demolition industry in Britain.
The protection of workers exposed to asbestos is regulated by an EU directive given effect here by the European Community (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 1989. These regulations, which are implemented by the Health and Safety Authority, protect the health of workers by reducing the level of exposure to asbestos fibres, the setting of exposure limits, the establishment of sampling and measuring methods and the inspection of workplaces by the authority. The regulations also specify that adequate information must be provided to workers in relation to the potential risks to health from exposure to asbestos and the precautions to be taken. With regard to asbestos in the home, an information leaflet is available to the public from the Department of the Environment to help identify asbestos material and the steps to take to deal safely with it.