Adverse effects specific to asbestos
fibers were reported in 1918 and 1924, followed by other reports that
finally led to legislative control of asbestos exposure in Great Britain in
1931.1,2 Because similar legislation in the USA was established in 1971,
asbestos use has markedly decreased, but asbestos products are still
common in commercial and residential properties, posing health risks to
residents and workers. A definitive association between asbestos and
malignant and nonmalignant diseases of the lung and pleura is now well
documented worldwide There is typically a latency period of 20-30
years to manifest asbestos-related lung diseases and absolute prevalence
is unknown in the USA. Years of potential life lost because of asbestosis
was 146/y during the period 1968-1972 and 239.6/y for 2001-2005.8