An Outline of Asbestos-Related Health Effects

Asbestos have been used in many different environments, including industrial and home construction projects, vehicles, railroads and shipyards, to name a few. Asbestos have significantly affected many lives, particularly individuals and their families who have experienced substantial direct or indirect occupational exposure to asbestos as well as asbestos-containing products and equipment. Many diseases and conditions are reported to have a direct or indirect causal link to asbestos exposure. This book summarizes the historical background, current knowledge and advancements concerning asbestos and its related diseases in a simple, easy to understand and concise format. The first chapter covers asbestos mineralogy, industrial applications, occupational and environmental exposure as well as methods of fiber analysis. The second chapter focuses on asbestos pathogenesis, including asbestos levels in the environment and various worksites, the biological effects of asbestos fibers and factors determining its toxicity. The third chapter provides an overview of asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, pleural diseases, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Each section also includes a discussion of cause and causation, clinical presentation, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and surveillance. The fourth chapter outlines the basic concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology, criteria in establishing the causal relationships, the occupational approach of environmental diseases and current standards and regulations. This book serves as an easy to read, quick reference presented in a bulleted format that allows readers to quickly and easily review the information. It is a useful resource for occupational medicine specialists, healthcare providers and environmental scientists who are interested in understanding asbestos and managing asbestos-related diseases.