Pattern of malignant mesothelioma incidence and occupational exposure to asbestos in Western Australia

doi: 10.5694/mja15.00337 “the [malignant mesothelioma] epidemic in WA will be finite” Western Australia has one of the highest rates of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in the world.1 Early cases of MM were predominantly caused by the crocidolite mining operations at Wittenoom.1-3 During the 1950s, Australia had the highest per capita asbestos consumption in the world,2 mostly to manufacture asbestos cement, and there was an increasing number of MM cases in workers using these asbestos products. Production declined rapidly in the 1980s, and all production and importation of asbestos were prohibited from 31 December 2003.