Especially since the death of asbestos crusader Bernie Banton, Australia has been making great strides in mesothelioma research.

Unfortunately, asbestos research in Australia is now facing a significant set-back.  Federal records of 1,000 mesothelioma cases have been lost.  The files contained details regarding symptoms, treatment, and causes of Australian mesothelioma patients.  When researchers recently requested the information, a federal government department admitted to having "potentially lost" the records.

A Sydney geologist had requested the information as part of a study to determine how exposure to high concentrations of naturally-occurring asbestos affects people.  In searching for the impact of these "hot spots," he hoped to use the history of past mesothelioma patients.  

The lost files contained data collected in the 1980s in one of the world's most comprehensive mesothelioma surveys.  The records were put into storage in 2001 and have not been found since the search efforts began early last year. Read the story here.