A comparative study of the disease burden attributable to asbestos in Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia between 1990 and 2019

BACKGROUND: Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia are the main asbestos-producing countries, and all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. The objective of this study was to estimate the disease burden attributable to asbestos between 1990 and 2019 in major producing countries, including Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. METHODS: Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates (ASDR) of disease burden attributable to asbestos by country, age, and sex were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. Percentage change and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were used to assess the trends of ASDR and ASMR of disease burden attributable to asbestos between 1990 and 2019. RESULTS: Asbestos-related diseases were highly heterogeneous across Global, Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. There was a downward trend in ASMR and ASDR of diseases burden related to asbestos globally. The age-specific mortality rate of disease attributable to asbestos increased in men and women, although it decreased in women aged 85–89, the highest age-specific mortality rate were observed in age 95 + group in men [162.14 (95% UI: 103.76–215.45)] and women [30.58 (95% UI: 14.83–44.33)] per 100 000 population, respectively. Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer was the leading cause of death and DALYS attributable to asbestos between 1990 and 2019 globally and in Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. China had the highest percentage change (73.31%) and EAPC [3.41 (95% CI: 2.75–4.08)] in ASMR related to exposure to asbestos in men, with the highest percentage change (73.31%) and EAPC [3.41 (95% CI: 2.75–4.08)] in ASDR in men. CONCLUSIONS: The ASMR and ASDR of disease burden attributable to asbestos decreased between 1990 and 2019 globally. TBL cancer was the leading cause of death and DALYs attributable to asbestos between 1990 and 2019. There has been an increasing trend in mortality and DALYs globally, especially in older men. The burden of disease attributable to asbestos is increasing in China, especially in men. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14437-6.