Cancer following occupational exposure to asbestos and vinyl chloride.

A review is presented of the various factors important in the identification of carcinogenic disease from occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos and vinyl chloride. The long lapsed period, usually of 20 or more years from first exposure to these materials, is discussed, as well as the requirement for sufficiently long observation periods in prospective epidemiological studies. The multiple-factor etiology of lung cancer involving cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure is illustrated. The risks of asbestos-related cancers to other than those directly working with the material are discussed in a variety of circumstances, and finally the effectiveness of control procedures for vinyl chloride and asbestos are compared.