There is no safe threshold of exposure to asbestos fibres — inhalation even of small quantities can lead to mesothelioma decades after exposure. Where asbestos is still present, it is not safe to assume there will be no disturbances that put working people in danger, the TUC adds. The only way to eradicate asbestos cancer is with a legal duty to safely remove asbestos, and a clear timetable for its eradication.