A shipyard worker develops mesothelioma 35 years after occupational asbestos exposure. This extremely long lag period (latency) between exposure and disease onset BEST illustrates which principle of occupational disease causation?

• A Dose-response relationship
• B Threshold level
• C Individual susceptibility (pharmacogenomics)
• D Latent period specific to carcinogens ✓

Explanation

Mesothelioma has one of the longest latency periods of any occupational disease — typically 20–50 years — from the time of asbestos exposure. This extended latent period is characteristic of asbestos-related malignancy and explains why cases continue to appear decades after exposure has ceased. This is a fundamental principle when attributing cause in occupational medicine and reinforces the need for lifetime health surveillance. Dose-response means higher dose causes more severe disease, which is also true but does not define the latency phenomenon.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.