Press Release

June 22, 2009
  • Health & Chemicals

Medical Data Examination Results for Recognition of Designated Diseases under the Act on Asbestos Health Damage Relief

On June 22, the Minister of the Environment conducted a medical data examination for patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases. The investigation was conducted in response to requests filed by the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan (ERCA) pursuant to the Act on Asbestos Health Damage Relief.

The examination results demonstrated that 52 patients contracted designated diseases associated with asbestos (45 with mesothelioma and 7 with lung cancer)*. Seven patients were determined to have died from an asbestos-related disease before the application for relief based on the law (5 with mesothelioma and 2 with lung cancer)*. One person who died before the enforcement of the Act was determined to have contracted lung cancer caused by asbestos*.

The Minister of the Environment will notify the ERCA of the results.

* The cumulative total of patients determined to have contracted designated asbestos-related diseases, as defined by the Act, is 2,325 (1,855 with mesothelioma and 470 with lung cancer). The cumulative total of patients determined to have contracted designated asbestos-related diseases but to have died before the application for relief based on the law is 36 (28 with mesothelioma and 8 with lung cancer). The cumulative total of those determined to have contracted designated diseases due to asbestos but to have died before the enforcement of the Act is 129 (4 with mesothelioma and 125 with lung cancer).


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