Table 6 Approval standards of asbestos-related diseases in Germany [34]
Medical diagnosis standards | Asbestos dust exposure standards | Latent duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
Asbestosis | Lung fibrosis validated with X-ray (ILO standards) or CT/HRCT | Several years | At least 10 years |
Malignant mesothelioma | Proven diagnosis (histopathology and radiography, CT is preferred) | Even low level exposure is recognized | At least 10 years, in general |
Lung cancer | Asbestosis-related lung cancer (even histologically mild asbestosis is sufficient) | Exposed to 25 fibers/ml-year | At least 10 years |
Major changes in the pleura due to asbestos | |||
Pleural plaque | Diagnosis with radiography, CT or histopathology | Even low level exposure is recognized | - |