The adverse pulmonary effects of
asbestos are well accepted in scientific circles. However, the extrapulmonary consequences of
asbestos exposure are not as clearly defined. In this review the potential for
asbestos to produce diseases of the peritoneum, immune, gastrointestinal (GIT), and reproductive systems are explored as evidenced in published, peer-reviewed literature. Several hundred epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro publications analyzing the extrapulmonary effects of
asbestos were used as sources to arrive at the conclusions and to establish areas needing further study. In order to be considered, each study had to monitor extrapulmonary outcomes following exposure to
asbestos. The literature supports a strong association between
asbestos exposure and
peritoneal neoplasms. Correlations between
asbestos exposure and immune-related disease are less conclusive; nevertheless, it was concluded from the combined autoimmune studies that there is a possibility for a higher-than-expected risk of systemic
autoimmune disease among
asbestos-exposed populations. In general, the GIT effects of
asbestos exposure appear to be minimal, with the most likely outcome being development of
stomach cancer. However, IARC recently concluded the evidence to support
asbestos-induced
stomach cancer to be "limited." The strongest evidence for reproductive disease due to
asbestos is in regard to
ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, effects on fertility and the developing fetus are under-studied. The possibility of other
asbestos-induced health effects does exist. These include brain-related
tumors, blood disorders due to the mutagenic and hemolytic properties of
asbestos, and
peritoneal fibrosis. It is clear from the literature that the adverse properties of
asbestos are not confined to the pulmonary system.