DefinePK

Abstract

Health risks from asbestos have been previously estimated on the basis of the past experience, when occupational exposures were much higher than today. Extrapolations were made on the basis of the linear no-threshold dose-response pattern. However, its applicability to low exposures is unproven. Besides, asbestos-related research is loaded by biases. If small quantities of asbestos fiber are found in the lung and pleura, a lesion such as mesothelioma is sometimes attributed to asbestos. Interviews of patients and their relatives after a patient’s death sometimes resulted in attribution of lesions to questionable historic exposures.Histopathological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is difficult, the entity is not sharply delineated; and revisions of histological specimens often reveal uncertain diagnoses. Asbestos production and use are banned in some countries, while others continue its manufacturing and exports.In conclusion, the asbestos-related policies should be reconsidered on the basis of scientific evidence, independent from industrial interests, and internationally coordinated.