Asbestosis deaths have increased from fewer than 100 in 1968 to more than 1,467 in 2002, with no apparent leveling off of this trend.
There have been more than 15,000 asbestosis deaths since 1990.
Alabama had 318 asbestosis deaths from 1990-1999, and Alabamians lost 4,047 years of potential life to asbestosis in that time.
Asbestosis hospitalizations have increased from 300 in 1970 to 20,000 in 2000.
Mesothelioma deaths have increased from 699 in 1980 to 2,573 in 2002.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report for 2002
