Environmental asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Epidemiologic studies of mesothelioma have focused primarily on occupational exposures to asbestos. Nonoccupational exposure to asbestos can be grouped into three main categories: paraoccupational (familial), neighborhood, and true environmental exposures. Elevated mesothelioma rates not attributable to occupational exposures have been observed in asbestos mining and manufacturing areas. Asbestos is one of the most dangerous environmental carcinogens because of the small dose known to cause mesothelioma and the rapid lethality of the disease once it develops. Further research is needed to characterize the contribution and risk profile for environmental asbestos and mesothelioma, and for the development of public health policy.