"A pilot study tested the feasibility of conducting occupational health research in Bangladesh while examining asbestos-related diseases, work-related respiratory symptoms, and attitudes to occupational health and safety among a group of internal migrant shipbreakers.Data was collected in Bengali on clinical and work history, respiratory symptoms, and occupational health and safety practices. Postero-anterior chest x-rays were read by a B-reader. In 104 male shipbreakers, prevalence of asbestos-related disease was 12 percent, of which asbestosis accounted for six percent. Knowledge of asbestos and occupational health and safety measures were almost non-existent. The prevalence of asbestos-related diseases is low compared to studies in shipbuilders and repairers, but a risk underestimate could have resulted from challenges identified during study design and implementation including: a) industry non-cooperation and a culture of corruption, b) technological and language barriers, and c) a regional lack of physician knowledge and research on occupational diseases. How these challenges affected the study is discussed and recommendations are made."

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