3. = unique epidemic of domestic asbestos exposure specifically, all inhabitants had been exposed during 1940-1950 to a tremolite asbestos- containing whitewash.

4. =Amianthus is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. microscopic fibers Easily inhaled Respiratory system Lodged in the soft internal tissue

6. Asbestosis Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

7. Exposure to asbestos maybe followed by pulmonary and pleural diseases after a lengthy latent period. ✔ Pleural plaques ✔ Acute benign asbestos pleurisy ✔ Diffuse pleural thickening ✔ Asbestosis ✔ Mesothelioma

8. Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness. A persistent cough that gets worse over time. Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from lungs. Pain or tightening in the chest. Difficulty swallowing. Swelling of the neck or face. Loss of appetite. Weight loss. Fatigue or Anemia.

9. Between 1981-1985, 7 patients from 3 villages (5000 inhabitants) appeared pleural mesothelioma. The diagnosis was confirmed with diagnostic pleural aspiration (cytology) and pleural biopsy. After 18-24 months that the first symptoms(dyspnea and fatigue) appeared to the patients, 6/7 lost their lives. Which means that in patients with Metsovo Lung there is a 300%  of the death incidents from Mesothelioma.

10. The disease has low progression. Mesothelioma seems to appeared at least 30 years after asbestos exposure. Can infiltrate local tissues and metastasize to distal ones. The risk remains lifelong. Smoking is not a risk factor.

11.  Asbestos has been banned is 52 countries, including the countries of E.U..  Utilization increased in developing countries ( Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Brazil, India).  The WHO (World Health Organization) reports that 100,000 deaths per year related to asbestos exposure.  Some specialists mention that until 2030 asbestos will be responsible for 10 million deaths worldwide.

12. It is not possible to determine a minimum amount of asbestos exposure that can trigger the initiation of the disease.

13. SOURCES http://www.ixek.gr/images/articles/383_7.pdf http://www.stutters.com/services/service-asbestos-abatement- removal/ http://www.stutters.com/services/service-asbestos-abatement- removal/ http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-cancer/what-is- asbestos.htm http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-cancer/what-is- asbestos.htm https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/ http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes- prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes- prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/39/1/217 Thank you!