**2. Asbestos exposure**

Asbestos is a commercial name for a group of fibrous silicates with certain toxic properties, such as the ability to produce inflammation, fibrous scarring and cancer [18–20]. Based on their physical and chemical structures, asbestos fibres can be classified into two major groups: chrysotile and amphiboles [20–25].

Occupational exposure to asbestos occurs in asbestos mining, production and milling of asbestos fibres; in asbestos cement industry; in construction; in machine and insulation product industry; in ship building or repair; in car industry; in production of brakes and clutches; in car, bus, lorry, railway carriage and aeroplane repair; in asphalt mixing; in disposal of asbestos waste and materials; in brickworks; in textile industry and in other industries and activities [20, 22, 26–28].

Local population can be exposed to asbestos mostly in the neighbourhood of factories where asbestos is produced or used (exposure to polluted air, water and food). The source of environmental asbestos exposure may also be asbestos cement sheets, asbestos insulators and other asbestos-containing products. Asbestos fibres may also be found in water which flows through asbestos cement pipes, especially if they have been damaged. Workers exposed to asbestos may bring asbestos home to the family members on clothing or hair [26–28].
