Unnatural causes

摘要

As a result of the mandatory reduction in the use of rnasbestos, and its subsequent prohibition, the use of machine-made mineral fibres (MMMF) has become widespread. These fibres have been developed to mirror the properties of asbestos and so are used in acoustic, thermal, fire protection and reinforcement applications.rnMuch research has been carried out into MMMF in an effort to predict the likelihood of these newer fibres also causing similar pulmonary diseases to asbestos. However, because they are less likely to be inhaled into the lung, and those that are will be biologically removed much quicker, the risk of fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma is very small (see panel below). Indeed, Wilson et al predict the risk of death to a worker blowing glass wool into loft spaces as being 5.6 in a million each year. In context, being president of the Unites States has a risk of one in 80 (three presidents have been shot dead in 240 years), and a US police officer will have a risk of three in 10,000.