Browsing by Autor "Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla"

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A Suspected Mesothelioma Cluster in Colombia: What We Know
(2018) Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; María Fernanda Cely‐García; Benedetto Terracini; Comba, Pietro; Roberto Pasetto; Daniela Marsili; Valeria Ascoli; María Camila Rueda; Benjamin Lysaniuk; Antonino Mazzeo
International audience
A Suspected Mesothelioma Cluster in Colombia: What We Know
(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2018) Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; María Fernanda Cely‐García; Benedetto Terracini; Pietro Comba; Roberto Pasetto; Daniela Marsili; Valeria Ascoli; María Camila Rueda; Benjamin Lysaniuk; Agata Mazzeo
Introduction: Asbestos are mineral fibers that have been used in a wide range of products. All forms of asbestos cause mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. The asbestos industry began operations in Colombia in 1942, with an asbestos cement facility located in the municipality of Sibate (current population 38,000). Historically the plant produced asbestos-cement roof tiles and water pipes. The latest figure available indicates that in 2012 the facility used 5,955 tons of asbestos. Inhabitants of Sibate have been complaining that a large number of people are being diagnosed and are dying from asbestos related diseases. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the potential existence of a mesothelioma cluster in Sibate. Methods: In 2015/16, 354 door-to-door health and socioeconomic surveys were applied in three large neighborhoods, to identify potential asbestos related cases. Asbestos exposure sources have also been studied, including soil-sampling campaigns conducted at locations that were determined using Geographic Information Systems. Results: Thirty-one (31) self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified with the surveys. For 21 of these cases, a copy of the medical diagnosis has been obtained (14 with immunohistochemistry report), as an initial step to confirm the original diagnosis. Core biopsy paraffins for each case are currently being collected for validation purposes. During the soil survey campaign, an underground layer of friable asbestos (chrysotile content 5-10%) was identified at different depths. This asbestos layer was created during the construction of landfills intended to desiccate areas of a water reservoir located next to the town. Conclusion: With the information collected so far, 3 of the 5 criteria established by the US CDC cluster investigation guidelines have been met. At this stage, the case in Sibate can be labeled as a suspected mesothelioma cluster, pending further confirmation of the mesothelioma diagnosis.
An Approach to Overcome the Limitations of Surveillance of Asbestos Related Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What We Learned from the Sibaté Study in Colombia
(Elsevier BV, 2023) Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; Margarita Giraldo; Daniela Marsili; Roberto Pasetto; Benedetto Terracini; Agata Mazzeo; Corrado Magnani; Pietro Comba; Benjamin Lysaniuk; María Fernanda Cely‐García
The findings of this study emphasize the urgent need for Colombia to establish a reliable epidemiological surveillance system for asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). Active surveillance strategies can play a crucial role in identifying mesothelioma clusters and enhancing our understanding of the health effects of asbestos exposure in low- and middle-income countries.
Aplicación de un modelo numérico para la priorización de la inversión en tratamiento de aguas residuales en Colombia
(Universidad de Los Andes, 2005) Sergio Barrera; Mario Díaz-Granados; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; Luís A. Camacho; Ramón Rosales; Nicolás Escalante; Mario Torres
Colombia has lacked an adequate planning process for the design, construction, and operation of wastewater treatment facilities in most of the municipalities. National, regional and local agencies have conflicting criteria for managing this sector. Furthermore, there is a lack of adequate tools to support decisions with appropriate environmental, financial, social, and technical information. In this paper, a computer model is presented as a tool to support at a national level the decision making process for planning municipal wastewater treatment facilities in Colombia. A geographical information system was used to obtain a structured river network from a digital elevation model. Modeling flows, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and coliform bacteria throughout the entire national drainage network allowed the analysis of several wastewater treatment scenarios, using bacteriological contamination (i.e.: coliform bacteria) as the main indicator of public health risks resulting from wastewater pollution. Total length of oxygen deprived river reaches in the hydrological network was much less than the length of the bacteriological degraded reaches. Using multivariate analysis, different wastewater treatment scenarios were analyzed to determine their effectiveness to mitigate wastewater pollution, based on environmental, socioeconomic and infrastructure criteria. As a result, prioritizations for investment in wastewater treatment plants were obtained at municipal and basin levels. The decision making tool integrates the objectives of the national agencies involved in wastewater management policies, solving the conflicts between agencies and optimizing the use of financial resources for the sector.
Application of a numerical model for the prioritization of investment in wastewater treatment in Colombia
(2005) Sergio Barrera; Mario Díaz-Granados; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; Luís A. Camacho; Ramón Rosales; Nicolás Escalante; Mario Torres
Asbestos Exposure among Transmission Mechanics in Automotive Repair Shops
(Oxford University Press, 2014) Natalia Salazar; María Fernanda Cely‐García; Patrick N. Breysse; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
In this study, we identified that the working conditions and use of asbestos containing transmission products expose transmission mechanics to asbestos concentrations that exceed both the Colombian and OSHA standards. The potential consequences for the health of these workers are of great concern.
Cumulative Occupational Exposure To Asbestos And Respiratory Health Of Brake Mechanics In Colombia
(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2015) Margarita Giraldo; Mauricio Durán; Carlos A. Torres‐Duque; Mauricio González-García; Carolina Pérez; María Fernanda Cely‐García; Patricia Parada; Patrick Breysse; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
Introduction Asbestos exposure causes several respiratory diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. Asbestos containing brake linings and pads are still distributed in Colombia. Since 2010, asbestos exposure levels for different brake repair tasks have been determined conducting sampling campaigns in shops located in Bogotá. This study analyzed respiratory health and cumulative asbestos exposure of 35 brake mechanics from Bogotá, Colombia. Methods Using a standardized questionnaire, occupational histories from 35 brake mechanics were collected. Based on previous air sampling results, cumulative asbestos exposure was calculated for each mechanic. Respiratory health of each mechanic was evaluated with pulmonary function tests (flow-volume curve with bronchodilator and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity [DLCO]), chest X-rays, and CT Scans. Results All mechanics were males, 26-80 years old. Using chest CT Scans, 18 types of abnormalities were identified. Nineteen mechanics (54%) showed no abnormalities. Nine mechanics (26%) had abnormalities that are suggestive of asbestos exposure, including parenchymal bands (20%), reticular abnormalities (9%), and calcified pleural plaques (3%). Four mechanics had spirometry with obstructive pattern and one decreased DLCO. Cumulative asbestos exposure for the entire occupational history of each mechanic ranged between 65 - 8095 f/cc (average f/cc-year * total # of years of work). A marginal significant association was identified between asbestos- abnormalities and the number of years of work, adjusted for smoking and age when job started (OR=1.12, p=0.053). No significant association between asbestos-abnormalities and cumulative asbestos exposure was observed (OR=1, p=0.18). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that these workers could be at excess risk of developing asbestos related diseases. New methods for retrospectively quantifying asbestos cumulative exposure are needed.
Prevention of Asbestos Exposure in Latin America within a Global Public Health Perspective
(Elsevier BV, 2019) Eduardo Algranti; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; Benedetto Terracini; Vilma Sousa Santana; Pietro Comba; Roberto Pasetto; Agata Mazzeo; Fulvio Cavariani; Andrés Trotta; Daniela Marsili
Recent data on chrysotile strengthened the evidence of its carcinogenicity and showed an excessive risk of lung cancer at cumulative exposure levels as low as 1.5 fibre-years/ml. Technology for substitution is available for all asbestos-containing products and ceasing asbestos production and manufacturing will not result in unemployment and loss of income, except for the mining industry. The flawed arguments used by the industry to maintain its market, both to the public and in courtrooms, strongly relies on the lack of local evidence of the ill effects and on the invisibility of asbestos-related diseases in LA, due to the limited number of studies and the exposed workers' difficulty accessing health services. The few epidemiological studies available show clear evidence of clusters of mesothelioma in municipalities with a history of asbestos consumption and a forecasted rise in its incidence in Argentina and Brazil for the next decade. In Brazil, non-governmental organizations of asbestos workers were pivotal to counterbalance misinformation and inequities, ending recently in a Supreme Court decision backing an asbestos ban. In parallel, continuous efforts should be made to stimulate the growth of competent and ethical researchers to convey adequate information to the scientific community and to the general public.
The evolution of an epidemic: age-period-cohort modelling of mesothelioma in Casale Monferrato, 1990–2021, with projections to 2042
(BioMed Central, 2025) Margarita Giraldo; Daniela Zugna; Enrica Migliore; Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla; Milena Maule