Although asbestos causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and
mesothelioma, it remains widely used in Brazil, mostly
in cement-fiber products. We report the Brazilian
mesothelioma mortality trend 1980–2003, using
records of the national System of Mortality Information
of DATASUS, including all deaths with IX International
Disease Classification (ICD9) codes 163.n—pleura cancer
during the period 1980-1995; and ICD10 codes c45.n—
mesotheliomas and c38.4—pleura cancer for the years
1996–2003. Mesothelioma mortality rates increased
over the period studied, from 0.56 to 1.10 deaths per
100,000 habitants. The total number of mesothelioma
deaths nationwide in the period studied was 2,414; the
majority (1,415) were in the Southeast region. Mortality
was highest among males and people over age 65.
Given the history of asbestos exposure in Brazil, our
findings support the need for policies that limit or ban
the use of this product.