[Epidemiological problems of non-occupational exposure to asbestos dust]

We have presently a sufficient amount of evidence based on epidemiological and experimental investigations to regard asbestos as a carcinogen in human environment. The use of asbestos-containing products and asbestos pollution of the natural environment of man are the risk factors for neoplasms in the general population. The sources of pollution and the values of asbestos dust concentration in community environment and the estimation of the risk related to asbestos dust are presented in the light of epidemiological and ecological studies.