Asbestos is a human carcinogen and has been prohibited in many countries around the world. Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to negative health outcomes including mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural thickening, and lung cancer. The incidence of asbestos-related disease has been increasing in industrialized countries over the past decade. Exposure to asbestos and the risk for developing a serious health condition is dependent on the cumulative dose of exposure to asbestos, measured by the quantity of exposure and the length of time exposed. These diseases often do not present for 20 to 40 years after initial exposure and have poor prognoses. Asbestos poses a potential risk to the general population when it is used in buildings and infrastructure, however this risk is minimized if the dust fibres are left undisturbed.
