Author(s): Marty S. Kanarek and Henry A. Anderson
Asbestos causes pleural and peritoneal malignant mesothelioma, in addition to lung cancer, other cancers and asbestosis and pleural plaques. Multiple scientific disciplines have made significant contributions to the strength of the cancer causality consensus conclusion which has led many countries to ban the use of asbestos. Epidemiology has been applied to the study of automobile repair workers who have been exposed to asbestos from the replacement and installation of brakes containing asbestos. It is important to clear up the misunderstandings of the limits of epidemiology methods and their interpretation in the investigation of brake repair workers in order to prevent mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases in developing countries which are continuing to use asbestos in brake pads and for other uses.