Adverse health effects of asbestos have prompted many countries to ban its use, but use and importation continues in many low income and developing countries. Le et al. studied the relationship between national economic development and asbestos use among 135 countries that used asbestos at any time during 19202003. Worldwide asbestos use data were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey and used to estimate per capita use (kilograms per person per year). Economic development was classified based on a standardized measure of per capita gross domestic product [in 1990 GearyKhamis dollars (GKD)], and countries were grouped according to 2003 World Bank categories as high, middle, or low income.

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