[Asbestosis (review of the literature)]

The proposed review of medical literature on the influence of asbestos on the health conditions of workers, consists of 5 parts: 1. occupational hygiene in some industries in which asbestos is used; 2. new data on the peculiarities of the action of asbestos-containing dusts; 3. the epidemiology of tumours among the workers dealing with asbestos, in particular, in construction materials production and in construction proper; 4. problems of an early diagnosis of asbestosis; 5. prevention of asbestos-induced diseases, and health legislation on the safety of working conditions with regard to asbestos adopted in different countries.