# Mesothelioma and Social Security Benefits in Brazil: 2019 to 2021

## TL;DR

This study examines how often mesothelioma cases in Brazil were recognized as occupational diseases by social security from 2019 to 2021.

## Contribution

It reveals a significant under-recognition of mesothelioma as an occupational disease in Brazil despite known asbestos exposure links.

## Key findings

- Only one of 115 mesothelioma benefits was classified as occupational.
- Mesothelioma cases were mostly granted as pleural cancer or unspecified.
- This contradicts global evidence linking asbestos exposure to 80% of mesothelioma cases.

## Abstract

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.

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

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.

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.

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.