After many years, exposure to massive concentrations of asbestos fibres some industrial workers have developed asbestosis while lower levels of exposure have occasionally caused mesothelioma.
The principal diseases caused by exposure to asbestos are asbestosis, a pneumoconiosis; primary carcinoma of the lung; malignant mesothelioma; and diffuse mesothelioma.
In 1980 more than 600 deaths were related to asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The executive also maintains the asbestosis and mesothelioma registers established in 1964 and 1968.
Until 1974 separate records of deaths due to asbestosis and diffuse mesothelioma were not kept for the industrial injuries scheme.
Deaths from mesothelioma are about a quarter of all deaths from asbestosis.
On the other hand, the link with asbestosis and mesothelioma is very strong.
The available figures for deaths due to asbestosis, mesothelioma and other prescribed industrial diseases are given in the table.
