Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do Trabalho

Our medical research library holds 6 studies published in Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do Trabalho (2020–2025). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 6 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Associação Nacional de Medicina do Trabalho
• Published: 2003 to the present, Brazil
• Language: Portuguese, English
• ISSN: 1679-4435 (print), 2447-0147 (electronic)
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2020s

• Mesothelioma and Social Security Benefits in Brazil: 2019 to 2021. L.E.F.E. Gomes, N.S.S. Souza. 2025;23(4):e20251448. Review PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Introduction: Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, and can cause several diseases, including mesothelioma, a malignant tumor of the pleura and peritoneum, mainly.

  Objectives: Analysis of disability pension benefits with mesothelioma diagnosis in Brazil from 2019 to 2021.

  Methods: Descriptive study using records of benefits granted by the Social Security National Institute (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social) in Brazil to insured workers under the Regime Geral da Previdência Social with a diagnosis of mesothelioma or pleural cancer. Later, cases were identified as mesothelioma after reviewing medical-pericial reports. Two Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social data sources were used: Unified Benefits Information System, providing sociodemographic data of the insured and benefit information, and Disability Benefits Administration System (SABI), where the medical-pericial report is prepared, providing information on the insured's occupation and the type of mesothelioma.

  Results: During the study period, 109 benefits were granted by Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social with a mesothelioma diagnosis, and six with a pleural cancer diagnosis, which upon review of the medical-pericial report were identified as mesothelioma. Of the total 115 benefits granted, only one was characterized as occupational.

  Conclusions: Only one benefit was characterized as occupational disease, contrary to the literature evidence of mesothelioma being associated with occupational or environmental asbestos exposure in 80% of cases.

• Occupational hazards and the development of lung cancer: an analysis of exposures and their implications for worker health. M. de Sousa Alves, L.S.S. de Carvalho, L.T. Nogueira, et al. 2025;23(3):e20251417. Review PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is associated with occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents such as asbestos, silica, welding fumes, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. This study analyzed the occupational risks related to lung cancer and their implications for workers' health. It is an integrative literature review, with searches conducted in SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed databases as well as institutional publications. A total of 13 studies were selected, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies, providing a comprehensive view of the impact of prolonged exposure to carcinogenic substances in sectors such as construction, mining, and the chemical industry. The results show an association between occupational exposure and an increased incidence of lung cancer among workers. Weaknesses in inspection and in the implementation of preventive measures exacerbate this scenario. Studies highlight the need for stricter public policies, stronger regulations, and the expansion of early screening programs for exposed workers. Replacing harmful substances, combined with effective preventive measures, can significantly reduce cases of occupational lung cancer.

• A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach for identifying asbestos exposure among underground workers. A. Salvado, L. Capone, P. Zamorano, et al. 2024;22(4):e20241271. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Introduction: Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to a range of diseases, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma. Despite regulatory efforts, asbestos-related diseases remain a significant public health issue.

  Objectives: This study aimed to assess the characteristics and prevalence of asbestos-related diseases among exposed workers.

  Methods: We conducted a descriptive cohort study with underground workers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from March 2018 to March 2023. A comprehensive screening and surveillance program, including medical examinations, was implemented to identify exposure-related signs and symptoms. Histological sections from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were analyzed using light and polarization microscopy for lung cancer cases.

  Results: A total of 2,690 participants were included, of whom 2.8% (n = 77) had asbestos-related diseases and 0.22% (n = 6) had lung cancer. Occupational exposure exceeding 20 years was significantly associated with an elevated risk of asbestos-related diseases (odd ratio: 3.02; 95%CI 1.7-5.3).

  Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational diseases among underground workers was consistent with findings from other surveillance programs for asbestos-exposed workers. Occupational exposure exceeding 20 years emerged as a significant risk factor, markedly increasing the likelihood of asbestos-related diseases.

• The Beauty and the Beast: pleural plaques due to asbestos exposure in a beauty salon worker. Who is guilty?. A.K. Medeiros, F.M. da Costa, B.B. Libânio, et al. 2024;22(4):e20241262. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  This report highlights the occupational health risk of asbestos exposure in the hair and beauty salon industry, exemplified by the case of a 67-year-old hairdresser and manicurist. The patient's medical history, work activities, and examination findings indicated potential asbestos-related pleural plaques. Occupational exposure to harmful chemicals, including asbestos in talc products, poses serious health risks. Despite asbestos bans in many countries, Brazil experienced extensive asbestos usage until 2012-2015, with a complete ban taking effect in 2023. This report emphasizes the need for ongoing discussions on asbestos detection and strict enforcement of bans, while ensuring asbestos-free talcum powders to protect the health of beauty industry workers.

• Occupational characterization of workers exposed to asbestos: an integrative review. K. Vicari, I.M. Ribeiro, B.F. Aguiar, et al. 2022;20(4):650-658. Review PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Asbestos is a mineral fiber abundant in nature and classified as a carcinogen since 1987. The present study aimed to identify, in the scientific literature, what are the occupation and activities developed by sick workers and which categories would be affected with asbestos-related diseases. Through a literature review performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science, and Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library, 23 studies published from 2015 to 2020 were selected and evaluated. The occupations that showed greater illness due to exposure to asbestos were general asbestos workers (40%), miners (22%), and textile workers (9%), followed by naval, automotive, carpentry, doll-making, construction, and upholstery workers, as well as workers involved in the rescue, recovery, cleaning, and restoration of the World Trade Center (4%). Of the disease associated with exposure to asbestos, the most described is malignant mesothelioma (43%). Evidence found corroborate pre-existing information in the literature showing that exposure to asbestos may be harmful to health. Moreover, the importance of using personal protective equipment was emphasized, in order to prevent the development of asbestos-related diseases.

• Pleural plaques by inhalation of asbestos fibers. D. Delgado, O. Ramírez, N. Sultan, et al. 2020;18(2):241-245. Case report PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Introduction: Asbestos fiber pleural plaque is characterized by lesions composed of fibrous tissue that are located in the parietal pleura. They usually appear in up to 3 to 58% of workers who were exposed to asbestos fiber, and 0.5 to 8% in the general population. The objective of this article is to present a case report of a patient whose chest x-ray showed pleural changes associated with exposure to asbestos fibers.

  Case Report: A 49-year-old male patient, construction worker with a history of exposure to asbestos fibers, underwent a chest x-ray performed according to International Labor Organization (ILO) standards, which revealed focal pleural changes. Subsequently, the presence of pleural plaques was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest.

  Discussion: Chest x-ray with ILO technique is the basic instrument for the identification of diseases related to asbestos fiber exposure. The study should be completed with a CT scan of the chest, whose sensitivity is greater, allowing early detection of pleural abnormalities. It is essential to obtain a detailed occupational history, since it is the most reliable and practical method to measure asbestos fiber exposure.

Browse every journal in the library or the library by type of article, or return to medical research.