Asbestos Disease has been Underestimated say Researchers

A warning comes from medical researchers saying that the health risks
connected with asbestos have been underestimated. The International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has conducted a report and found
that asbestos may be likely to cause more cancers that formerly
anticipated.

Asbestosis, COPD, lung cancer and mesothelioma have all been
recognised as diseases that can be attributed from asbestos exposure.

A study of the report, discussed in the Lancet Oncology magazine,
stated that the report has found that "Sufficient evidence is now
available to show that asbestos also causes cancer of the larynx
(throat) and of the ovary."

The study by the IARC estimates that 125 million people all over the
world are working in offices and factories which contain asbestos.

The professions which face a higher risk of developing
asbestos-related conditions include mechanics, ship yard workers,
electricians, plumbers, garage mechanics, teachers and hairdressers.
The Health and Safety Executive has approximated that 5,000 people
will die from malignant mesothelioma every year by the next decade in
the UK.

A study by a group in London has found that over 50% of work-related
deaths from six major types of cancer in the UK are because of
asbestos. The report by researchers at Imperial College said:
"Estimates for all six cancers [in terms of the number of
occupation-related deaths] but leukemia, are greater than those
currently used in UK health and safety strategy planning". Dr Lesley
Rushton who worked on this report commented: "You spend a third of
your life at work. You need to take the risks very seriously."