Annual Report 2012 - Business.govt.nz

Part 2: Review of asbestos-related disease notificationsSummaryThis report reviews 1299 cases that were notified to the National Asbestos Medical Panelbetween March 1992 and July 2012. They include:• 232 cases of mesothelioma• 124 cases of lung cancer• 294 cases of asbestosis• 649 cases of pleural abnormalities.The number of lung cancer cases reported is roughly half of the number of mesotheliomacases. This suggests that the taking of a lung cancer history is still dominated by the smokingfactor, and that occupational factors are downplayed.Repairing or renovating hundreds of earthquake-damaged properties is a major task forresidential and commercial building owners. With the “housing stock” in Christchurch olderthan elsewhere in New Zealand, asbestos exposure for renovators is an important issue.Mesothelioma notifications remain high, reflecting exposure in the 1960s and 1970s, andthis trend is likely to continue for some years to come.Asbestos and other Occupational Lung Diseases in New Zealand 2012 Annual Report Page 14