workers from Libby, MT had a significantly increased incidence of
asbestos-related adverse effects. Vermiculite from the Libby mine can be
found in millions of attic insulations, increasing the risks of asbestosrelated
disorders in residents and construction workers.10 While the
severity of occupational lung disease has declined, the burden of
pneumoconiosis continues to be considerable, despite increased regulations
in industrialized countries (Fig 1A). Despite strong evidence
documenting the hazards of asbestos exposure, the mining industry and
asbestos use in developing countries continues with feeble regulations
and inadequate reporting. Robust occupational and environmental health
assessments and reporting are needed to define the epidemiology of asbestosrelated
lung diseases in developing countries. Advances in imaging, genom-