Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 July 1999. It was answered by Alan Meale (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 July 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of extent of the multiplied risk which occurs when smokers are exposed to asbestos in relation to contraction of (a) lung cancer and (b) asbestosis; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of extent of the multiplied risk which occurs when smokers are exposed to asbestos in relation to contraction of (a) lung cancer and (b) asbestosis; and if he will make a statement. [93024] Mr. Meale: I have been asked to reply. Workers exposed to asbestos have been found to have up to ten times the risk of lung cancer compared with other workers. A typical smoker, not exposed to asbestos, has about fifteen times the risk of contracting lung cancer compared with non-smokers. When both exposures are present the risks can be--approximately--multiplied together. The total risk of lung cancer faced by smokers exposed to asbestos will depend on the type of fibre to which they are exposed, on the amount to which they are exposed and for how long, but it will be much higher than for non-smokers. The development of asbestosis is unaffected by smoking.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 93024; 336 c234W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Asbestosis Asbestos Health hazards Health and safety Smoking Lung cancer