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Asbestos and its lethal legacy

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 2, pages 311–314 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Asbestos has become the leading cause of occupationally related cancer death, and the second most fatal manufactured carcinogen (after tobacco). In the public's mind, asbestos has been a hazard since the 1960s and 1970s. However, the knowledge that the material was a mortal health hazard dates back at least a century, and its carcinogenic properties have been appreciated for more than 50 years.

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Figure 1: Three forms of asbestos.
Figure 2: Death certificates that mentioned mesothelioma in the United Kingdom, 1968–1998.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Centre for Business History, Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Aytoun Street, Manchester, M1 3GH, UK

    Geoffrey Tweedale

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  1. Geoffrey Tweedale
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Related links

Related links

DATABASES

CancerNet

lung cancer

mesothelioma

FURTHER INFORMATION

Asbestos Institute web site

British Asbestos Newsletter

Health & Safety Executive

International Labour Organization

Trades Union Congress

White Lung Association

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Tweedale, G. Asbestos and its lethal legacy. Nat Rev Cancer 2, 311–314 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc774

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