title: The epidemiology of asbestos-related diseases.
abstract: Asbestos has been recognised as a potential health hazard since the 1940s. Of the two major species of asbestos; white asbestos (chrysotile) and blue asbestos (crocidolite), both of which are hazardous. The workers at extraction facilities are at the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos and, therefore, the development of asbestos-related diseases, commonly mesothelioma. However, other individuals at a high risk of exposure include asbestos-cement workers, insulation workers and ship-yard workers. Environmental exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of living in areas either characterised by natural outcrops of asbestos or asbestos-related materials, or those close to asbestos-producing or -using plants. Unfortunately, man-made fibre alternatives to asbestos, such as rock and slag-wool and glass wool, have also been shown to have a detrimental effect on human health. A characteristic of mesothelioma is that there is a long latency period (20-30 years) before the signs and symptoms of the disease become apparent. In addition, diagnosis of the disease can be difficult. The use of biological markers, such as tissue polypeptide antigen, may play a useful role in the early detection of the disease in individuals at risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Academy of Bialystok, 24A M. Sklodowska-Curie Str., 15-276, Poland. niklinsj@amb.edu.pl
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niklinski
authors.forename: Wieslawa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Niklinska
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chyczewska
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laudanski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Naumnik
authors.forename: Lech
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chyczewski
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pluygers
mesh_terms: D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019016:Mineral Fibers; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite