What is the increased risk percentage for smokers exposed to asbestos?

For smokers who have been exposed to asbestos, research indicates that their risk of developing lung cancer is significantly elevated, with estimates suggesting an increased risk percentage that ranges from 30 to 90 percent. This increase is primarily due to the combined effects of tobacco smoke and asbestos exposure, which can have a synergistic effect, meaning that the combined risk is greater than the sum of their individual risks.

In the context of asbestos exposure, non-smokers have a risk of developing lung cancer due to asbestos on its own, but smokers face a drastically heightened risk because the two conditions amplify one another. This understanding is critical in occupational health discussions, as it emphasizes the importance of protective measures and smoking cessation programs for those working with or around asbestos.

Other percentages presented in the options are broader ranges that do not reflect the established data as accurately as the chosen answer does, leading to choices that are either too low or excessively high compared to what research indicates about the synergistic effects of smoking and asbestos exposure.