What every surgeon should know regarding asbestos-related disease.

Long-lasting occupational exposure to asbestos dust may cause pleural disease, asbestosis, bronchogenic carcinoma and mesothelioma. Many years elapse from first exposure to the appearance of symptoms. Almost all these diseases are the result of dusty working conditions 20-40 years ago. The pathological sequelae are usually irreversible and can progress after exposure ceases. There is no satisfactory treatment. Prevention is the only practical way. In spite of the fact that the general public is invariably exposed to small amounts of the material, asbestos is not a public health problem. Exemptions are the buildings not properly cared for containing sprayed asbestos. But even living in such buildings is calculated to produce a negligible risk of death. Asbestos-related diseases occur where long-lasting inhalation of high amounts of fine asbestos dust has occurred. There is no evidence to indicate that ingested asbestos fibers represent a major health problem. Industry is now replacing asbestos in many products by other fibers. Natural and synthetic organic materials used in fiber cement products are unable to reach the alveoli. They are not cancerogenic and there is no reason to believe that such fibers cause chronic pulmonary disease.