Medical researchers are warning that the health risks associated with asbestos have been underestimated. A report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has indicated that asbestos may be possible for more cancers than previously thought. Diseases like asbestosis, COPD, lung cancer, and mesothelioma have been attributed to asbestos exposure. Now, the IARC has announced a link between asbestos fibers and other cancers.

According to the report, "Sufficient evidence is now available to show that asbestos also causes cancer of the larynx (throat) and of the ovary." The study was reported in the respected Lancet Oncology magazine. The IARC study estimates that as many as 125 million people worldwide work in offices and factories that contain deadly asbestos. The study notes that "Although asbestos has been banned or restricted in most of the industrialized world, its use is increasing in parts of Asia, South America and the former Soviet Union."

Worldwide, professions that face an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions include mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, garage mechanics, teachers and hairdressers. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive has suggested that by the next decade, 5,000 people will die from malignant mesothelioma each year.

Another study by a group based out of London has concluded that more than half of work-related deaths from six major cancers in the UK are due to asbestos. "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," stated the report written by researchers at Imperial College. According to Dr. Lesley Rushton, who worked on the Imperial College report, "You spend a third of your life at work. You need to take the risks very seriously.”

Source : Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center