Facts and figures on asbestos in the United States:

_Injury claims filed over years: more than 600,000.

_Companies named as defendants: more than 6,000.

_Industries involved: at least 75 of 83 U.S. industries.

_Money spent on litigation: at least $54 billion.

_Estimate of workers in high-risk jobs and industries exposed from 1940-1979: 27 million; no estimate on total workers exposed.

_Estimated premature deaths through 2009 due to asbestos exposure: more than 225,000.

_Claims to come: estimates vary widely, from 50 percent of claimants yet to file to four-fifths still to come.

_Corporate bankruptcy filings attributed to asbestos litigation: at least 56.