[Expert assessment of asbestos-induced lung damage]

Asbestos is a mineral of special technical properties and therefore used in many products all over the world. The inhalation of asbestos causes chronic inflammation of lung--the asbestosis--and pleura--pleuraplaques and pleuritis--and is responsible for mesothelioma and lung cancer. Under normal conditions the diagnosis asbestosis is easy because of the typical x-ray findings and the history of intensive exposure of asbestos. In rare conditions the history of exposure is uncertain and the diagnosis might be difficult. The expected anuity depends on the loss of lung-function. First we find a restrictive ventilatory disorder i.e. a reduction in VC and compliance. Later after progress of the disease the gasexchange is impaired. In case of mesothelioma or lungcancer the person is generally expected to be unable to work.