Improving our understanding the risks of asbestos present in our daily environment.
High-level occupational exposure to asbestos is a well-established cause of both mesothelioma and lung cancer. However, the health risks associated with non-occupational, low-level exposure are unclear.
ASSEA commissioned a rapid literature review of this issue by a research institute. This review found evidence of an association between non-occupational low-level, asbestos exposure and an increased risk of mesothelioma, but the evidence for a link with lung cancer was not strong.
The Agency is conducting a further study of this issue involving meta-analyses of published articles with the aim of to combine the results of multiple independent studies to produce a single overall estimate of the risk of low-level exposure to human health.