The phrase 'reasonably attributable to' in s 8(1)(b) of the Dust Diseases Act requires only a causal connection between the occupation and the relevant exposure, not a normative assessment of the worker's conduct such as continued smoking. Where a worker has been exposed to both asbestos and tobacco smoke, the synergistic interaction between the two carcinogens means that a finding of material contribution by asbestos is available even where the statistical likelihood of asbestos alone causing the cancer is less than 50%. The question whether the claimant bears a legal burden of proof in dust diseases proceedings was left open.
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