A historical review was presented of the growing awareness of the health effects of occupational exposure to asbestos (1332214), as reflected by the recognition and registration of occupational diseases due to asbestos in the Netherlands. Topics included development and scientific evidence, covered under asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma; occurrence of asbestos related diseases; introduction of legislation; and discussion. The review identified the first suggestion and first case description of the relationship between asbestos exposure and diseases in the international and Dutch scientific literature. No warning of disease associated with asbestos exposure could be traced before 1930. Another tabulation exhibited the development of legislation aimed at reducing occupational exposure to asbestos in the Netherlands. The annual numbers of cases of asbestosis and of pleural mesothelioma reported to the Occupational Disease Register of the Dutch Labor Inspectorate were examined.

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