The Health Effects of Asbestos: An Evidence-Based Approach

Description

The health-related effects of asbestos have long been mired in controversy, with industry and plaintiff attorneys playing a significant role. This comprehensive book provides a balanced and extensive evidence-based critical analysis of the literature concerning asbestos-related diseases, from a scientific and historical perspective. The book presents a carefully referenced review of the medical literature on the health effects of asbestos, and reflects the extensive experience of the author in evaluating patients with asbestos-related disorders.

Features

• Comprehensive - unbiased review of the medical literature relating to asbestos, the most-studied occupational agent, including over 5000 bibliographic references relating to asbestos and/or mesothelioma
• Clinical - presented from the perspective of a pulmonologist B-Reader with extensive experience of evaluating patients with asbestos-related disease
• Balanced - provides the reader with perspective through a critical appraisal of the many complex issues related to asbestos exposure

Table of Contents

Limitations of Epidemiologic Exposure Studies on the Health Effects of Asbestos: Or How to Critically Read the Medical Scientific Literature. Clinical Toxicology of Exposure, Minerology, and Routes of Exposure. History of Asbestos Commercial Use and Discovery of Adverse Health Effects. What Is Asbestosis and What Is Not, Radiology and Pathology Correlates. The Association of Lung Cancer and Asbestosis. The Effect of Smoking and Lung Cancer. Asbestos Related Pleural Disease. Disability and Impairment on Asbestosis and Asbestos Related Diffuse Pleural Disease. Does Asbestos Cause Other Malignancies Other Than Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma ? Asbsetos Exposure and Mesothelioma. The Many Causes of Mesothelioma Related to Asbestiform Fibers. Mesothelioma and Fiber Type. Mesothelioma Latency and Risk. Household and Neighborhood Exposure. What Did Asbestos Pipe Insulation Manufactures and the United States Navy Understand About the Risk To Manufacturing Employes and End Users? The Intervention of Government to Provide Safety Standards. Is There a Safe or Risk Free Level of Asbsetos Exposure? How Do We Define Risk?

Author

Dorsett D. Smith, clinical professor of medicined Division of Respiratory Diseases and Critical Care, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, USA