Asbestos is a fibrous, heat resistant insulating material. Professor Peto described as a particularly dangerous material. In a study published in the British Journal of Cancer the researchers described how they predicted future death rates from the illness based on past trends in Britain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. The high number of cases of mesothelioma in men born around 1945-1950 reflects the large amounts of asbestos used in the 1960s and 1970s when they were beginning their working lives. He said the danger to men born since 1955 is not yet known.
Many buildings still contain asbestos.
The danger in existing buildings is minimal, but if asbestos is disturbed and fibres are released during renovation work it could pose a danger to carpenters, plumbers, builders and electricians who may be exposed to it. He added that many developing countries, where asbestos is still used in uncontrollable quantities, may experience similar death rates from mesothelioma in the future. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.