Browsing by Autor "Margarita Giraldo"

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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.
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.
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