The Sabadell hospital has launched a pioneering initiative to centralise care for individuals exposed to asbestos, promote early diagnosis, and coordinate levels of care. The initiative arises in one of the areas most affected by this carcinogenic mineral.
The Parc Taulí Hospital in Sabadell has activated the first Multidisciplinary Asbestos Unit in Catalonia and the country, as reported by the healthcare centre itself. The new service will concentrate on the care of individuals who have been in contact with this mineral, aiming to improve early diagnosis and coordination between primary care, specialised centres, and the hospital.
The unit is established in one of the regions hardest hit by asbestos in Catalonia. For decades, numerous residents of Vallès Occidental were exposed to fibres from the former Uralita factory in Cerdanyola del Vallès, both for occupational and environmental reasons. There were also domestic exposures among family members of workers who came home with fibres adhered to their clothing or bodies.
Continuous inhalation of asbestos can lead to respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and, in the most severe cases, various types of cancer. Mesothelioma, a tumour that primarily affects the pleura, is one of the most characteristic pathologies associated with this material.
The Pneumology service at Parc Taulí is currently monitoring around 300 individuals affected by occupational exposure. However, the head of the service, Dr. Manel Luján, warns that this figure may only represent part of the problem. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. We believe there are many more people, between 500 and 600, or even more, who may be registered for other pathologies and whom we still do not have under control," Luján points out.
Asbestos earned the nickname 'magic material' due to its extensive use in the 20th century and its versatility. During the Franco dictatorship, it was indiscriminately used in homes, streets, paints, brakes, clutches, theatre curtains, blinds, and even water pipes. In Badia del Vallès, it was used without restraint to cut costs in the rapid construction of homes. Subsequent studies demonstrated that asbestos is highly carcinogenic, and its use was banned in Spain in 2002.
The new unit will cater not only to former workers but also to their cohabitants and individuals who may have inhaled fibres dispersed in the environment. This latter form of exposure is one of the greatest concerns for specialists, especially due to the degradation of materials that still contain asbestos. "People affected by environmental exposure are our biggest concern because their numbers are increasing," says the head of Pneumology. He explains that materials release fibres from the mineral when they reach the end of their useful life and begin to deteriorate.
The service will be organised based on the severity of each case. Less severe exposures or pathologies will be treated in the outpatient clinics of the specialised care centres in Cerdanyola-Ripollet and Sant Fèlix in Sabadell. Patients with more complex cases will be referred to Parc Taulí itself, where they will undergo a multidisciplinary study with pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists.
The unit also aims to serve as a reference for all of Catalonia and the rest of the country, as there has not been a similar facility integrating all levels of care until now. Residents of the province of Barcelona who have been exposed to asbestos, whether through work, cohabitation, or living in contaminated areas, can be referred to this unit through their primary care doctor.
Dr. Luján has emphasised the importance of individuals with a history of exposure attending regular check-ups, even if they do not present symptoms. "The earlier a possible asbestos-related disease is detected, the greater the treatment options will be," he reminded. The unit expects to start receiving patients progressively in the coming weeks.
You may also like
