A study released in Melbourne last night announced that ten percent of Australian carpenters born before 1950 will die of mesothelioma.  They will be among the 30,000 Australians to die of mesothelioma between 2000 and 2050. 

The study was conducted by Professor Julian Peto, based on research and analysis of 600 mesothelioma patients.  Peto found that the cause of the disease was mostly blue and brown asbestos, both of which were used liberally in construction until the 1980s.  Even after Australia recognized the harm of blue asbestos, brown asbestos continued to be used.

According to The Australian, "Prof Peto's research also revealed that Australia and the UK have the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with 600 cases per year in Australia and almost 2,000 in Britain, and figures are rising."  Prof Peto's research also questions why it was once believed that asbestos exposure below a certain level would not cause harm.