The processing of various rocks releases low doses of asbestos-like fibres. It is not in accordance with the rules of law and ethics to perform compulsory examinations on employees who are exposed to low dose asbestos or ceramic fibres. At the risk threshold of 10,000 fibres/m³ 32,500 examinations must be performed to diagnose one case of lung cancer. At the exposure of 100,000 fibres/m³ the number needed to be screened is still 3250. Compulsory occupational examination of employees in Germany is not in accordance with medical guidelines and ethical principles. So far occupational examinations are in contrast to the basic right of informational self-determination. Beside that they are not in accordance with the principles of radiological protection. The status quo of occupational examinations in Germany contradicts actual scientific results of lung cancer screening research. The German system of compulsory examination in occupational medicine should be scrutinized. Occupational medicine in Germany lacks a scientific guideline for occupational lung cancer screening.
