The asbestos exposure history for the GB working population is unknown. In the model presented here, relative asbestos exposure in occupational groups is assumed to correlate in some way with mesothelioma rates in those groups. After correcting for age and smoking effects, the model finds that the asbestos-related lung cancer: mesothelioma ratio is 0.65: 1 for the GB working population as a whole.
Evidence from:
AJ Darnton et al. Ann Occ Hyg. (2006) Vol.50#1 p 29 – 38
“Estimating the Number of Asbestos-related Lung Cancer Deaths in Great Britain from 1980 to 2000”
As a rough estimate, allowing for deaths which occurred after age 74 the authors propose 11,500 asbestos related lung cancers in all in that period, compared with 17,491 total mesothelioma cases. Asbestos was responsible for around 3% of all lung cancer deaths.
Further detail: