[Methodologic contribution to determining maximum occupational exposure levels for asbestos. Exposure-risk relation and economic criteria].

It is not easy to set exposure limits for industrial carcinogens when only biological and epidemiological criteria are used. Hence, criteria should also include relevant social and economical considerations. This paper, using asbestos exposure as an example, explains how the economic aspects of prevention may be taken into account. The methodology includes three stages: use of the exposure-risk models in order to estimate the residual health effects associated with asbestos, according to various exposure limits, evaluation of costs of preventive measures required by these exposure limits, discussion of the exposure limits--a synthesis of the two preceding stages.